Game Changer

Make no mistake, Maurice Sendak, who died recently, was a game changer. Children's literature was never the same after he turned his brilliance on speaking to youngsters in a way they had never been spoken to. Along with his contemporary who wrote under the name Dr. Seuss (Theordore Giesel), Sendak revolutionized children's literature. Giesel did it with words while Sendak did it with pictures. His drawings were counter to what young boys and girls had been used to seeing: the heroes were not clean and polished, the world was not always bright, and his story line was often dark and unconventional. If you don't believe me, then check out "Bumble-Ardy," the story of an orphaned pig who decides to give himself a birthday party after his parents are eaten.

Sendak's most famous book, of course, was "Where the Wild Things Are." Published in 1963, it depicts the imaginings of Max, who is sent to bed without supper by his mother. Max proceeds to take himself on an unprecedented adventure to where there are wild things. These creatures are far from warm and fuzzy. Instead, they are grotesque, imposing in size and shape, maniacal and ready to burst, much like young Max. They serve as Max's companions as the young boy and his monsters release their pent-up frustration and rage. Finally, Max returns home with his inner anger gone. He also finds his supper waiting. 

Sendak's success was, in part, due to his ability to communicate in ways that had never been done before. His insights were unique. His story lines were not sugar-coated. They were honest and raw and not in any way designed to make children believe it was one fairytale after another. That kind of world as depicted by others was not paqrt of Sendak's professional vocabulary. The critics responded with the highest praise. So, too, did much of the general public. His work later became the subject of movies, art shows and even plays. To me, Sendak's ability to communicate well and in ways that were unconventional makes him a communication hero.