Comprehensive information and links about Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak (born June 10, 1928Maurice Sendak is an artist and creator of children's literature who is best known for his book published in 1963.

A sickly child, Sendak decided to become an illustrator for children after he was influenced by Walt Disney's film and he spent the 1950s making a name for himself as a lavish artist for children's books.

He found international acclaim with though the book's portrayals of fanged monsters concerned parents when it was first released. Sendak's attractions to the dark, forbidden, nightmarish aspects of children's fantasy has made him a subject of controversy in some areas. His influential and popular 1970 book has regularly been subjected to censorship for presenting pictures of a young boy innocently prancing naked through the story; the book has been banned in various areas, and there is a rumour that in other places it has been re-touched and edited to include "diapers" on the illustrations of its young hero. This may, however, be an urban legend. ( regularly appears on the American Library Association's list of "frequently challenged and banned books," including the "Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2004." [1])

Sendak produced an animated TV production based on his work entitled featuring Carole King, which was broadcast in 1975 and is available on video (usually as part of video compilations of his work). A record and later a CD of the songs were also produced. He adapted into a stage production in 1979, and in 1983 he designed an award-winning stage production of Tchaikovsky's for the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

In 1970 he won the Hans Christian Andersen Award for children's book illustration, and in 2003 he shared the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award with Christine Nöstlinger, the first time it was awarded.

Interview with Maurice Sendak - In free streaming video (RealVideo), from the Northwestern University Library