Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak, widely considered one of the most influential children's authors of the era, was heavily influenced by his family's losses during the Holocaust. The youngest of three born in 1928 to Polish immigrants, Sendak was surrounded by pictures of family members who died during the Holocaust. He's said his books are a tribute to their souls and a way of finding salvation. He even included their portraits in his illustrations of Isaac Bashevis Singer's Zlateh the Goat and Other Stories.

He was often sick as a child and turned to indoor activities such as reading and drawing to keep himself occupied. Sendak began illustrating in high school, drawing pictures for the Mutt and Jeff comic books. He published his first book at age 19, Atomics for the Millions.

From the 1950s forward, Sendak began illustrating books at a rapid pace. The publication of Where the Wild Things Are brought him international critical acclaim and a reputation as an expressive and interesting artist. He also has a reputation as an advocate for children, one who recognizes the darker side of childhood and what children must face and overcome.

In addition to writing and illustrating children's books, Sendak has produced operas, ballets, and librettos.

Sendak has written more than 80 books and has won nearly every important prize in children's literature including the Caldecott Medal, the Hans Christian Anderson Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, National Medal of Arts, Jewish Cultural Achievement Award, and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for Literature.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

--B. Redman