Maurice Sendak, the author and children's illustrator responsible for moving children's books towards realism, passed away on Tuesday in Danbury, Connecticut at the age of 83. Sendak is best known for his book Where The Wild Things Are (1963) for which he was awarded the Caledecott Medal in 1964. His illustrations have also been featured in Else Holmelund Minarik's Little Bear books and the Brothers Grimm fairytale series. 

While his illustrations created a new vision in children's books, the characters in his works redefined so many of our childhoods. We've compiled a gallery of 40 Maurice Sendak-inspired tattoos that show just how great of an impact he had on his readers, young and old.

Gallery: 40 Tattoos Based On Maurice Sendak's Art