Where the Wild Things Are . . .

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak has become a classic. Winner of the 1964 Caldecott Medal as the "Most Distinguished Picture Book of the Year," it was first published by HarperCollins in 1963. When the book was written, the theme of dealing with dark emotions was rare in children's literature, especially in picture book format for young children.

Maurice Sendak dies at 83, author of 'Where the Wild Things Are'

The endearingly popular children's book illustrator and writer radically changed the genre with tales of outsized monsters and frolicsome humor that tapped into the fears of childhood. He also collaborated on numerous operas, films and TV programs.

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-maurice-sendak-20120509,0,4823266.story