Maurice Sendak, the author best known for the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, passed away today in in Danbury, CT, at the age of 83. According to the NY Times, Sendak died from complications from a recent stroke.

Where the Wild Things Are was introduced into the cinematic world via Spike Jones’ adaptation of the beloved children’s novel in 2009. But the author was also known for novels such as Outside Over There and In the Night Kitchen. Sendak’s stories have touched people of all ages and his passing is a great loss in the literary world.

Though Sendak has written many stories, he is best known for Where the Wild Things Are, published in 1963. But it was no ordinary children’s book, it was a story that explored the sensations and dangers of a fantasy in a manner that was effective towards a reader of any age. Basically it told children that adults also have dreams.

Not only did the distinguished the Brookyn, NY-born author write his own material, but he also illustrated them as well. Before branching off to publish his own works, Sendak worked on Isaac Bashevis Singer’s 1966 book Zlateh the Goat.

Below is Spike Jonze and Lance Bangs’s 2009 documentary Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak, and I can tell you right now that it is a must-watch if you haven’t already seen it yet. Our deepest condolences go out to Mr. Sendak’s family and friends.

Maurice Sendak – RIP
June 10, 1928 – May 8, 2012

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[Source: NY Times via NYT Twitter]