New view of Sendak

Maurice Sendak has been a dominant figure in children's literature for more than 50 years. Where the Wild Things Are has been a classic for several generations of children. It's difficult to remember that when it first appeared, some librarians and parents thought it was too scary to read to young children. Children of course knew better and several generations of them have been reading it to tatters. Now Maurice Sendak is preparing for his 80th birthday celebration and in this thought-provoking interview in the N.Y. Times, he looks back at his career and forward to his next book. Sendak is a serious man who has coped with losses and depression in his personal life, but somehow he has transformed his private sorrows into joyful art that reaches the hearts of all children. Librarians are privileged to be able to introduce his books to their intended audience and to see, year after year, the rich experience they provide for children.