Sendak is in search of what he calls a "yummy death". William Blake set the standard, jumping up from his death bed at the last minute to start singing. "A happy death," says Sendak. "It can be done." He lifts his eyebrows to two peaks. "If you're William Blake and totally crazy.
Maurice SendakWhen you hide another story in a story, thatโs the story I am telling the children.
Maurice SendakWeโve educated children to think that spontaneity is inappropriate. Children are willing to expose themselves to experiences. We arenโt. Grownups always say they protect their children, but theyโre really protecting themselves. Besides, you canโt protect children. They know everything.
Maurice SendakWe're animals. We're violent. We're criminal. And if I've done anything, I've had kids express themselves as they are.
Maurice Sendak