Maurice Sendak

8/05/2012 by David Maybury · No Comments

Maurice Sendak, one of the most influential and highly regarded children's illustrator and author, has passed away aged 83. 

Sendak, most recognised for his book Where the Wild Things Are, has long been recognised as one of children's publishings great masters winning that Caldecott Medal, the Hans Christian Andersen Award,  the National Book Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, the National Medal of Arts and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. 

With more than 100 titles to his name, as well as set designs, films and more Sendak was working right up to his death, including a picturebook, written and illustrated by Sendak, which is due to be published next year. In an interview, published last year in The Guardian, Sendak was as voracious and spirited as ever:

"I'm totally crazy, I know that. I don't say that to be a smartass, but I know that that's the very essence of what makes my work good. And I know my work is good. Not everybody likes it, that's fine. I don't do it for everybody. Or anybody. I do it because I can't not do it." 

There are few illustrators or authors working in children's books who have not been influenced by Sendak's work, it is a safe bet to write that children's publishing changed with the appearance and success of his work. He will be sorely missed.