I've just learned about the passing of author Maurice Sendak. If this is the first you're hearing of it, then I'm sorry you had to hear it from a stoned hipster. My immediate thoughts were of the wonderful book "Where the Wild Things Are" which taught us to go nuts. However, I then remembered another excellent project Sendak was responsible for: "Really Rosie." The aforementioned work is a musical written by Sendak with music by Carole King. It has become a mainstay in children's theater for it's simple but fun songs and delightful cast of characters including self-proclaimed "sassiest girl on the block" Rosie. The story is based on several of Sendak's books including the "Nutshell Library" collection and "The Sign on Rosie's Door."
What I really remember, though, is the 1975 half-hour animated special (that ran in syndication for two decades) that featured only half of the songs, but brought the production to life for the small screen. Here's a clip below (pending Youtube take-down) for your viewing pleasure.
So farewell, Maurice. Thanks for all the words and pictures and for showing us that children's literature can be a true art form. Internet reviewer Oancitizen pointed me to the perfect quotation:
"Please don't go. We'll eat you up. We love you so."
-Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are
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