Maurice Sendak

children's books · illustrator · imagination

Drew and wrote stories. Maurice Sendak was both an author and illustrator, which means he wrote the words and created all the pictures for his books. He also illustrated books by other writers, including the cozy Little Bear stories.

Wild Things changed everything. His most famous book, Where the Wild Things Are (1963), tells the story of a boy named Max who sails away to an island of silly, wonderful creatures. This book became so loved that it won the highest award for children's books, and kids still adore it today.

Three magical companions. After Wild Things became famous, Sendak created two more amazing books to go with it: In the Night Kitchen (1970) and Outside Over There (1981). Together, these three books are like a special trilogy just waiting to spark your imagination.

Designed beautiful stages. Beyond books, Maurice created the scenery and costumes for operas, including Mozart's The Magic Flute. He turned theater stages into fantastical worlds, just like he did on the pages of his books.

Turned sadness into wonder. Sendak's childhood was marked by loss, as many members of his family died during the Holocaust. But he channeled his feelings into creating joyful, imaginative stories that have brought happiness to millions of children around the world.