“And now,” cried Max, “let the wild rumpus start!” RIP Maurice Sendak

When thinking about a favorite children’s book of mine, there really was only one that stood out among the rest…Where the Wild Things Are. Way back when I was a little monster I fell in love with this book. Really what is there not to love? Monsters, check, trouble making, check, kid in wolf pajamas, check! Maurice Sendak wrote several books, but this masterpiece was first published in 1963. His efforts were rewarded with a Caldecott Award in 1964. This book has been adapted in many different ways, from short films, to live action feature length movies, to operas and plays. Not to mention some of the more creative products that I have such as, t-shirts, bobbleheads, statues, prints, and a French version as well.

Where the Wild Things Are is a story about a young boy named Max, who causes trouble and is sent to his room without any dinner. While in his room very unhappy, Max’s imagination runs wild, and takes him on an adventure with the Wild Things. There he befriends monsters, wins them over, becomes their king and has a wild rumpus. After growing tired of the monsters, Max escapes and returns home to find his supper waiting for him, still warm.
What drew me into this book, was the thought of a young boy and his imagination having an adventure together. Maurice Sendak does a masterful job with creating a story with his words, but his iconic illustrations to me are the real star.

Growing up on the shores of Maui, Hawaii, Norm has always loved drawing. Since leaving the islands’ beautiful beaches and landing in Oregon, he went to college and received a degree in graphic design as well as an additional degree in digital prepress technology. After graduating, he worked for an interactive media firm in Corvallis, Oregon. While there, he was the company’s lead illustrator/designer and was responsible for creating illustrations, animations, and interactive products like video games. Now living in Beaverton, Oregon, Norm worked as an in-house illustrator for 10 years at a large education company in downtown Portland, Oregon. While at this position, he was the creative mind behind nationally marketed campaigns, numerous brand identities, toy and product designs, children’s books, as well as Web and interactive designs for the company’s design team. After leaving this position to raise his son, he now spends countless hours perfecting his craft as a freelance illustrator. He has worked with companies like Highlights Magazine, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Reading A to Z, Kaiser Permanente, KinderCare, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). He has created projects such as marketing illustrations, children’s books, coloring and activity books, video games, and educational products for these companies and others. Norm’s ability to draw has given him the chance to do the thing he truly loves: Create.

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