Maurice Sendak – American writer and illustrator of the 20th century, creator of Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen. Born in New York to Polish-Jewish immigrants, he turned childhood drawing into a lifelong career. His books revolutionized children’s literature by mixing fantasy, darkness, and raw honesty.
👹 Where the Wild Things Are was first criticized for being “too scary,” yet became iconic. 📖 Illustrated over 100 books, not only his own. 🎬 Designed sets and costumes for opera and theatre. 🌙 Dreams often inspired his stories. 🏆 Received the Caldecott Medal and the National Medal of Arts. 💡 Believed children deserve truth, even about fears. 🖋 Known for combining tenderness with darkness. 📚 His admirers included Steven Spielberg and Barack Obama. 🎨 Created illustrations for Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. ✨ His books have been translated into dozens of languages, selling millions. 😄 Once joked: “I don’t write for children. I just write – and kids overhear.”