MAURICE SENDAK

Children are overprotected and shielded from real life enough as it is, which stunts both their emotional and mental growth. Children, as Sendak realizes, are actually much more intelligent, talented, observant, quick to learn, enthusiastic and sensitive than adults give them credit for.

The best children’s book is not filled with innocent images and ideas and happy endings but is beset with dangers and risks, challenging rather than falsely reassuring its young readers.

Though he modestly pictures himself as being primarily an illustrator, Sendak would make an excellent child psychologist, as he has a keen understanding of what children like and what makes them tick.

KENNETH L. ZIMMERMAN

Cypress