I never spent less than two years on the text of one of my picture books, even though each of them is approximately 380 words long. Only when the text is finished ... do I begin the pictures. — Maurice Sendak Copy Share Image
I never thought of Bumble-Ardy in that way. But I still have that same deep feeling for children who are in dire trouble. I see Bumble-Ardy as a lonely, unhappy kid who is doing the very best he can to be in the world, to have a party. — Maurice Sendak Copy Share
I was a very sickly child. My parents were immigrants. They were not decorous. They were not discreet. They always thought I was gonna… — Maurice Sendak Copy Share Image
The fan mail I get from kids are asking me questions which they do not ask their mothers and fathers. Because if they had,… — Maurice Sendak Copy Share Image
“May I ask what you have in your black leather bag with gold buckles?" "Everything." They were climbing a narrow staircase. Rhoda stopped to… — Maurice Sendak Copy Share Image
Illustrations have as much to say as the text. The trick is to say the same thing, but in a different way. It's no good being an illustrator who is saying a lot that is on his or her mind, if it has nothing to do with the text. . . the artist must override the story, but he must… — Maurice Sendak Copy Share
I've convinced myself - I hope I'm right - that children despair of you if you don't tell them the truth. — Maurice Sendak Copy Share Image
