Let the Wild Rumpus Begin ...
Those were the words Maurice Sendak used to conclude the speech he gave at my college graduation in 1992.
Sendak was a hero to me, since long before then though. Not so much for the work itself; but because he was a pioneer. He did it HIS way.
There is much to be read about his life in children's publishing. There are the letters in Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom and lots of wisdom to be found in those big coffee table retrospectives.
Whenever I have a tough call to make in publishing, I generally find myself thinking, WWSD (What would Sendak do?).
Can monsters in a kids book have sharp teeth? WWSD? Should one ever take illustration work because they need the money? WWSD?
Early on, I read that Sendak was also famous for his generosity in helping other artists break in. I keep this in mind every step of the way too.
A truly great man has passed.
Rest in peace, Max. We'll keep your supper, hot.
Sendak was a hero to me, since long before then though. Not so much for the work itself; but because he was a pioneer. He did it HIS way.
There is much to be read about his life in children's publishing. There are the letters in Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom and lots of wisdom to be found in those big coffee table retrospectives.
Whenever I have a tough call to make in publishing, I generally find myself thinking, WWSD (What would Sendak do?).
Can monsters in a kids book have sharp teeth? WWSD? Should one ever take illustration work because they need the money? WWSD?
Early on, I read that Sendak was also famous for his generosity in helping other artists break in. I keep this in mind every step of the way too.
A truly great man has passed.
Rest in peace, Max. We'll keep your supper, hot.
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