Maurice Sendak Defends ‘Scary’ New Book
Kids’ writer Maurice Sendak- never one to parse words- is back with a book that has unsurprisingly gotten some flak from the overprotecting parents brigade.
Sendak most recently made news after the film adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are was criticized by parents who felt the classic book- about a little boy who goes to bed (gasp!) with no dinner before becoming a “wild thing”- was too scary. Sendak rightly told the whining moms and dads to “go to hell,” eliciting a few more fevered upset from the apparent committee to pretend kids don’t love scary and edgy shit.
Sendak authored and illustrated In The Night Kitchen and The Nutshell Library, and is out with his first written and illustrated book in 30 years. Bumble-Ardy follows a nine-year-old pig and his quest to have the ultimate birthday party, having been deprived his whole life.
CSM describes a bit of the controversy:
At one point in “Bumble-Ardy”, Sendak introduces the Grim Reaper, not an image that every parent wants her children dwelling on as they go to sleep. One reviewer on Amazon.com wrote that “Bumble-Ardy” was a “disturbing book in so many ways.” Sendak sees it the other way around. It is parents who are scaredy cats, he argues, frightened to deal with the nightmarish fantasies and even murderous impulses with which children are familiar and which books such as “Alice in Wonderland” explore.
Sendak refers to other, popular and more milquetoast kids’ fare that he says he isn’t against- but he consciously acknowledges he’s bucking the trend:
“It’s not a putdown of those earlier books. But basically, they went by the rules that children should be safe and that we adults should be their guardians. I got out of that, and I was considered outlandish. So be it.”
It would be kind of cool if all the parents who find it a bigger crime our kids might never be exposed to Maurice Sendak books got together and formed some kind of outrage group, but I think that particular demographic too busy living their lives and teaching their children actual useful things to have time for such a ridiculous venture.
Tags : awesome, cool, maurice sendak, nanny state, where the wild things are, won’t someone think of the children?, you tell em
Posted: September 21, 2011
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Sep 21, 2011
Actually the movie sucked, but for reasons other than "being too scary" and too numerous to mention. And I have never been much of a Maurice Sendak fan anyway. Always did think his stuff was stupid.
Sep 21, 2011
How many copies of"Where the Wild Things Are" were sold. Hmmmm…
Sep 21, 2011
Stupid???? Perhaps you don't see the relevance of facing the sometimes frightening prospect of separation that a child faces in his quest for independence that is a natural part of growing up. Fairy tales served this purpose as well.
Sep 21, 2011
Kids can handle more than we give them credit for.
Sep 21, 2011
Kathy Russell It is not stupid at all to face separation anxiety : Don"t we all go through it at some point ? Not only children but adults as well.. I love children's literature.
Sep 21, 2011
This was one of my boys favorite books. I think its the parents who are afraid, the kids are fine.
Sep 21, 2011
Juanita Rosa I love children's literature. I write (have been published) children's literature. I still say Maurice Sendak's stuff is stupid. Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein are far better in facing and presenting all types of issues to children in an intelligent, understandable and attractive format.
Sep 21, 2011
Kathy Russell yes stupid. Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein are far better in facing and presenting all types of issues to children in an intelligent, understandable and attractive format.
Sep 21, 2011
I really like Where the wild things are. I always have. I thought the movie was very sad and a bit scary but was very well made. I took both my children to see it in the theatre. I think sometimes adults forget what they felt when they were kids, and how situations and events affected them at the time they were happening. I feel that Maurice Sendak does a great job of telling from the child's point of view. Not every child had the perfect life growing up.I think it is good that a child can read a book that isn't all fluff and perfection.
Sep 21, 2011
Sendak has created some of the best children's books. Parents need to stop putting adult thinking on a book ment for a childs thinking.
Sep 22, 2011
Tóireasa Lourainne Purviance For a writer then one should be able to use perhaps a better word. "That's just stupid" is a juvenile argument.
Sep 22, 2011
StephniLee Stewart Libby I used the word stupid, rather than more erudite terms (such as unintelligent foolish silly inane idiotic brainless senseless ridiculous bizarre nonsensical asinine), in order that all those who lack in vocabulary comprehension could understand. Case in point; YOU understood my meaning. I suggest you go read some children's literature that actually has some intelligent content and meaning.
Sep 22, 2011
Tóireasa Lourainne Purviance Dear irascible writer, no insult was intended. I agree that the above mentioned words are worthy substitutes for stupid. If you had simply said that you found his writings to be inane, nonsensical, purposely misguided then I would have no disagreement. We are all entitled to our differing opinions and I have an issue with the word "stupid". I tutor many young people and "stupid" is their favorite and usually best argument against most literature and writing assignments, you see. Do I understand your point? Yes, you dislike the author. We'll go with that and ignore the pointed attack. But do remember also that your beloved Shel also courted controversy with "A Light in the Attic" and "The Giving Tree". Some school districts banned those titles from the primary school libraries for questionable themes, and parent groups were up in arms over these titles as well. Cordially