Maurice Bernard Sendak was born on June 10, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York. He became one of the biggest influences in children’s literature. His parents were Polish-Jewish immigrants. As a child, he went through powerful experiences that molded how he saw the world as an artist. Losing family members in the Holocaust left a lasting mark giving him a deep grasp of life and the challenges of growing up.
Sendak started his storytelling adventure when he had to stay in bed because of health problems. While stuck there, he found a love for books, which turned into a way to share his creative ideas. He got inspired on by the exciting world of Mickey Mouse and the colorful drawings in American comics. These influences sparked his love for art and shaped the path of his career.
His big break came when “Where the Wild Things Are” was published in 1963. The story showing the wild ups and downs of childhood emotions centered on Max, a boy who sails to an island of strange monsters. Both kids and grown-ups connected with the tale. Sendak’s drawings, which some thought were way too scary for kids, broke usual rules and pushed children’s books to explore fear and imagination more . He once said, “It’s what almost every Jewish mother or father says to their offspring, ‘You’re acting like a vilde chaya! Stop it!'”
After this achievement, Sendak amazed people again with “In the Night Kitchen” in 1970 and “Outside Over There” in 1981. Both books show his rare talent to mix playful ideas with deeper meanings. With lively and dreamlike pictures, “In the Night Kitchen” brings readers into a space where reality starts to feel less clear. On the other hand, “Outside Over There” explores topics like jealousy between siblings and thrilling journeys capturing the emotions kids often feel as they grow.
His art known for its bold colors and detailed designs, took inspiration from his childhood and the deep roots of his cultural background. Sendak once said, “It was an homage to everything I loved: New York, immigrants, Jews, Laurel and Hardy, Mickey Mouse, King Kong movies. I just jammed them into one cuckoo book.”
Sendak’s reach went far beyond his books. His work influenced theater and opera where he created set designs and costumes. This included projects like Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.” He didn’t just focus on drawing; his creativity shaped storytelling across various forms of art.
Maurice Sendak died on May 8, 2012 leaving behind a body of work that still inspires people today. His stories known for their honesty and emotional depth, show how books for kids can tackle the darker sides of life while still giving hope and meaning. Fans of his work look back and see him as a trailblazer who changed how stories for children are told. He encouraged readers to unleash their imaginations and face their fears.
These timeless tales live on sparking dreams in everyone who dares to explore where the wild things are.
“Then from far away across the world he smelled good things to eat, so he gave up being king of the wild things.”
-Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are
Curated by Jennifer
