Maurice Sendak, the author and illustrator whose work has been inspiring children for decades passed away on Tuesday 8th May at the age of 83. It is believed that the cause of death was complications from a recent stroke.

His most famous book, ‘Where The Wild Things Are’, was published in 1963 by Harper & Row. Since then it has sold millions of copies around the world and has been wholeheartedly loved by children everywhere. As you grow older, you start to forget about the dozens of books you read when you were young, only the most powerful ones remain in your memories – Sendak’s tale is one that everyone remembered.

Who could forget about poor little Max, who after a heated argument with his mother, ends up going to a parallel universe where large snaggletoothed creatures roam freely. Max befriends these strange creatures who live in chaos, surrounded by destruction and devastation. ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ was a ground-breaking book which changed the genre of children’s literature. Sendak brought his characters to life; they were powerful, mysterious and unforgettable. Max is a loveable yet troubled child and the book perfectly encapsulates that mood that children get in when they have arguments with their parents. To the adult it is minor dispute, a part of everyday life, but to the child it feels like a post-apocalyptic cloud of doom is circling around them. We all remember what this was like! Continue Reading

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