Original photo credit Jennifer ball/biography.com

Despite his intense hatred of eBooks, Maurice Sendak has a special place in this blogger’s heart. “Where the Wild Things Are”, and “The Nutshell Library” (“Chicken Soup With Rice”, in particular) are two of my favorite books from childhood. Mr. Sendak passed away Tuesday from complications of a recent stroke.

Mr. Sendak first gained notoriety when ‘Wild Things’ was published. The groundbreaking title was a bold departure from the homogenized books typical of the children’s book genre at the time, and many parents shied away from imperfect, sometimes grotesque images it contained. Mr. Sendak’s book “In the Night Kitchen”, first published in 1970, is on the list of the “100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-199” for it’s depiction of a young boy traipsing naked throughout the story.

In addition to his impressive catalog of books, Mr. Sendak had some influence in the development of “Sesame Street”, and other television programs, including a production credit on “Really Rosie”, an animated show featuring the voice of Carole King. He also designed sets for operas, ballets, and stage shows.

Read more about the life of Maurice Sendak here.