Largely self-taught, Maurice Sendak's influence over many of us is undeniable. We've all read, and often become obsessed, with his most famous work, Where The Wild Things Are (1963). That book, and his others, redefined the genre of children's books, giving us headstrong, often bossy, characters cast in sometimes frightening scenarios. He gave new voice to youth and a new look to visual culture that shaped our lives.
In recent years, Sendak's legacy has been celebrated in major museum retrospectives, solidifying his position in the pantheon of American arts. Sendak passed yesterday evening in Danbury, Connecticut.
Rest In Power. [NYT]