About four years ago, I read Where the Wild Things Are for a class, and Maurice Sendak changed the way I thought about Children's Literature. I guess you could say he made me start to think about Children's Literature. Never before had I seen an author treat his young audience with such respect, or write and illustrate short stories packed with such worth.
"Max stepped into his private boat and waved good-bye and sailed back over a year and in and out of weeks and through a day and into the night of his very own room where he found his supper waiting for him...and it was still hot."
--Where the Wild Things Are
Rest in peace, Mr. Sendak. Thank you for getting me to where I am.
You know, that's one book I have never read. A lot of people I know grew up with it, but it never came across my bookshelf. It's never too late though...I need to get hold of a copy.
ReplyDeleteHis death is really the end of an era.
ReplyDeleteSo sad. I agree, it is the end of an era.
ReplyDeleteAww, I didn't know he died. LOVED that book growing up!!
ReplyDeletexo
Alisha
No doubt, literature, for all ages, can do amazing things to those who care to look.
ReplyDeleteKate
myvanillawardrobe.blogspot.com
I never read that book as a child but when I was a nanny, the kids I looked after loved it. There was a period where I was reading it multiple times a day to them and I completely fell in love with it. I have no doubt that it, along with a few Dr. Seuss classics, will be the first books I buy for my children. The literary world lost a genius this week but at least he'll live on through his writing.
ReplyDeletePS - did you happen to see his interview with Stephen Colbert a few months ago. It was absolutely brilliant and hilarious and made me love Mr. Sendak even more than before.