'Wild Things' Author Maurice Sendak Dies at 83
May 08, 2012
Remembered
Children's author and illustrator Maurice Sendak died Tuesday in Danbury, Conn., of complications from a stroke suffered on Friday. He was 83.
His accolades include a National Book Award for "Outside Over There," a 1983 Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, and a 2003 Astrid Lingren Memorial Award, and a National Medal of Arts, presented by President Clinton in 1996.
Sendak's work extended beyond print media. He was an advisor during the initial development of the popular kid's television series "Sesame Street," and produced his own animated TV special, "Really Rosie,” and designed numerous sets for operas.
The Brooklyn-born author said he decided to become an illustrator after seeing Disney's "Fantasia" at the age of 12. He describes this experience as something that influenced his work throughout his career.
In January, Sendak appeared in an interview with Stephen Colbert.
Filed Under: Top Stories, Remembered
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