Thoughts on Life and Getting Old

Maurice Sendak was an American author and artist best known for his classic children’s books, including Where the Wild Things Are (1963), In the Night Kitchen (1970), and The Nutshell Librarycollection (1976). His later works include We Are All in the Dumps with Jack and Guy (1993), Swine Lake (1999), and the operatic Brundibar (2003).

 

 

As the illustrator of over 60 books, Sendak collaborated on a wide range of projects. Among these were Else Holmelund Minarik’s original Little Bear books, which later spawned a popular children’s TV series. Recognition for Sendak’s work included the Hans Christian Andersen Award for children’s book illustration (1970); a National Medal of the Arts, awarded by President Clinton (1997); and the first Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for Literature, awarded by the Swedish Government (2003). Toward the end of his life, Sendak harnessed his prodigious imagination in writing and designing for opera and ballet productions.