The Art of Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak was one of the most admired artists in children’s literature. His uniquely expressive illustrations, which brought to life a world of fantasy and imagination, won him the Hans Christian Andersen Medal, the Caldecott Medal, and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for Literature. Picking up where Selma Lane’s earlier, landmark monograph, The Art of Maurice Sendak, left off, this new book traces Sendak’s life and work, representing two decades filled with projects inside and outside the children’s book arena. This strikingly designed volume is overflowing with hundreds of wonderful Sendak illustrations: sketches and final art for opera, ballet, and theater productions, as well as children's books, adult book jackets, posters, and CD covers. An extended essay by Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Tony Kushner, a friend of the artist, provides an intimate view of Sendak. With an insider's perspective, Kushner not only gives us a chronological overview of Sendak's work, but also allows us to see him as an accomplished author and artist redefining his legacy, and as a man coming to terms with himself. This survey will only add to our understanding and appreciation of this multitalented artist, whose creative endeavors remain among the most inventive and treasured of our time.