10 Reasons I liked Maurice Sendak:

1. He was gruff and tough and reminded me of my short grandfather.
2. He wrote honestly and never talked down to children.
3. He was a natural talent, never taking a class in how to write or how to draw.
4. He grew up in Brooklyn and lived in Connecticut.
5. He stayed with his partner for 50 years.
6. He loved dogs.
7. He laughed when the librarians drew a diaper on his drawing of a naked baby.
8. He scowled when they tried to ban his books.
9. He reinvented himself in old age, designing scenery for operas.
10. He inspired children; he inspired me.

1928-2012

I was hoping to see him return to the Colbert Report, but his endorsement (The sad thing is, I like it) of Colbert’s “I Am A Pole” book on his first visit will always be one of my favorite shows.

Luckily, he left behind lots of books with his signature style.

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