Regarding the excitement around the impending opening of the film adaptation of his book Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak comments, “I kind of want it over. I’m not used to this invasion.”
An interview with Sendak in The Globe and Mail also reveals surprising feelings of resentment towards the popular children’s book. The book which has sold more than 10 million copies since publication in 1963 and has been honoured with the prestigious Caldecott Medal, has overshadowed most of his other work. Work that may merit more attention that that of his 10-sentence tale of Max, who is sent to his room for being naughty and embarks on a marvelous adventure of the imagination.
“At one time, that was a bitter, bitter pill. It no longer is,” says Mr. Sendak. “ Where the Wild Things Are is no longer an enemy. It’s now Spike Jonze’s [the movie's director] and lots of nice people who have become friends.”
But why not do Mr. Sendak a favour and take a look at Brundibar, In the Night Kitchen, Higglety Pigglety Pop! or another one of his books and appreciate the wider talent of the author/artist?
