by Maria Malia

Created on: April 01, 2009   Last Updated: April 13, 2009

Maurice Sendak joined a select few in the literary world by being awarded the prestigious American Library Association's Caldecott Medal in 1964 for his book "Where the Wild Things Are." The Caldecott Medal is awarded each year to the artist of the most distinguished picture book published in America that year.

Children relate to Max, the book's main character. He's a little boy, a bit out of control, who dares to sass his mother. When he is sent, in his mind, unjustly, to his room, Max's anger and imagination take over and a fantasy world where the wild things are is created. Max is in charge! Despite his adventures in this fantasyland, the love, warmth, and security of his home and his mother pull him back to reality .. and dinner.

Sendak's pen and ink drawings are unique. The muted colors and cross-hatching technique make the pictures his own. Even young children can identify a Maurice Sendak illustration when seen out of context.

Although written forty-five years ago, the classic children's literature book and its author are still in the news. The long-awaited "Where the Wild Things Are" live-action movie is completed and expected to be released in October 2009. Spike Jonze's screen adaptation stars many big Hollywood names. James Gandolfini and Forest Whitaker, to name just two. Jonze, no doubt, has worked his magic while making a full-length movie from this ten sentence book! He had great material to work with however.

Sendak, the prolific writer of more than 90 books, has long been a favorite children's literature author/illustrator. "In the Night Kitchen" stirred the censorship pot for many years after its publication. In one scene, Mickey falls out of his clothes and into the night kitchen. Thereafter, many uptight librarians and parents used their artistic talents and a black Sharpie to draw shorts onto Mickey's bare bottom.

In a recent surprise pronouncement, Mr. Sendak said "I'm gay." Though not ashamed, he decided not to make it known for two main reasons. His parents for one. Despite a fifty year relationship with one partner, he says they never knew. Secondly, he felt his writing career would have been hurt had it been publicized that a gay thirty-something author/illustrator from New York was creating and marketing picture books for children. Thank goodness for a more enlightened world.

Many of the children originally treated to this picture book back in the sixties are now reading the bedtime story to their own grandchildren. Classics never fade away. They just keep getting better and better.

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