JONATHAN COHN MAY 8, 2012
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Maurice Sendak, the author of children's books who died on Tuesday, was not afraid to say that childhood was scary. He knew that first-hand. His literature could be as dark as it was enchanting.
But Sendak's work wasn't bleak, either. When Max came back from the land of the wild things, after all, his supper was there was waiting for him. And it was still hot.
As much I treasured that book as a child, I treasure it even more as a parent. I know I'm not the only one.
R.I.P.
Editors note: We've unlocked a 1996 piece by our art critic Jed Perl on Sendak's illustrations.
7 comments
I too loved "Where the Wild Things Are" as a child (I even have a hardback "Weekly Reader" copy from childhood). I also read it to my children countless times when they were toddlers. I still love that book. May he rest in peace.
- tmmats
May 8, 2012 at 12:52pm
My introduction was The Big Green Book, which I just looked up and found out was written by Robert Graves, another favorite. I 'loved' the illustration where the father's fingernails grew through his hand. Also 'What Do You Say Dear?'. The world will miss him.
- polijunky
May 8, 2012 at 1:44pm
No, no, no, Jonathan! "And it was still hot." Quote great literature correctly!
- TARFON
May 8, 2012 at 2:06pm
Amazing to have the dual talents of being a writer and an illustrator. I was a little boy when Where the wild things are and I have to be honest and admit it scared me a bit, which is why I guess I remember it so well.
- blackton
May 8, 2012 at 2:08pm
"I'll eat you up, I love you so." RIP.
- Tristan
May 8, 2012 at 3:32pm
TARFON- Yikes, I can't believe I did that. Fixed now. Thank you.
- Jonathan Cohn
May 8, 2012 at 5:02pm
What Do You Say Dear is great, but you can't beat A Hole is to Dig. Ruth Krauss wrote it but Sendak did the illustrations. We still live by those definitions in my family.
- s.trabka@frontier.com-old
May 8, 2012 at 10:44pm