Maurice

Where The Wild Things Are author Maurice Sendak died today, aged 83. Being a man very close to my heart I decided to postpone the regular Tumblr post to bring together a few Sendak gems. I won’t get lost in some fan boy obituary…instead I’ve gathered some videos, links and quotes from the man himself. Have a little explore and celebrate the work of a man who was anything but an author of children’s books.

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Maurice Sendak profiled on the TATE Shots web series

Sendak in his 2011 interview with Terry Gross:

“A little boy… sent me a charming card with a little drawing. I loved it. I answer all my children’s letters — sometimes very hastily — but this one I lingered over. I sent him a card and I drew a picture of a Wild Thing on it. I wrote, “Dear Jim: I loved your card.” Then I got a letter back from his mother and she said, “Jim loved your card so much he ate it.” That to me was one of the highest compliments I’ve ever received. He didn’t care that it was an original drawing or anything. He saw it, he loved it, he ate it.”

(via)

During the filming of Spike Jonze’s Where The Wild Things Are, Jonze developed quite a special bond with Sendak and over the years the two became close friends. Along with fellow filmmaker Lance Bangs, Jonze created the documentary Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak. The film was produced by Oscilloscope Laboratories the production company of Adam Yauch who also tragically passed away recently.  The video below is take from that incredible film.

 

“I have nothing now but praise for my life. I’m not unhappy. I cry a lot because I miss people. They die and I can’t stop them. They leave me and I love them more. … What I dread is the isolation. … There are so many beautiful things in the world which I will have to leave when I die, but I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready.”

Fantastic hi-res collection of Where The Wild Things Are images

Watch animated film Really Rosie

Listen to Maurice Sendak on Life, Death and Children’s Lit

Bill Moyer’s insightful interview with Sendack

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Maurice Sendack: June 10, 1928 – May 8, 2012