Magic & Monsters

Beloved children's author and illustrator, Maurice Sendak, passed away yesterday, at the age of 83.

Sendak was best known for his picture books, Where the Wild Things Are, and In the Night Kitchen. Both books stirred up some controversy - Where the Wild Things Are was considered to be a bit too grotesque and scary for young children, while In the Night Kitchen was often challenged for its drawings of a young boy dancing naked through a kitchen.

His books, many published decades ago, continue to have a lasting effect on children and parents alike. I read Where the Wild Things Are when I was very young and still remember many of the lines by heart.

I remember being really excited when the film adapation came out a few years ago, and hoping that the movie wouldn't ruin the magic of the book.

Goodbye, Mr. Sendak - and thanks for inviting us into your world of beautiful monsters and for reminding us that we can be anyone or anything we want.