A Wild & Curious Series of Exhibits

The Rosenbach Museum
Philadelphia, PA

On display from artist Sue Johnson

Visit the Rosenbach Museum Friday, March 14, 2014 from 3:00pm - 4:00pm for the hands on tour celebrating Lewis Carroll / Charles Dodgson.

Up next, Sendak in the '60s goes on display Wednesday, March 26 - Sunday, November 2.

Mural by Maurice Sendak, comissioned by  the Chertoff family

The Rosenbach hosts many fabulous literary exhibits, including an artist project from Maira Kalman.
Read my review of Maira's newest book about Thomas Jefferson, or catch up on the past festivities for the museum's Sendak in the Spring event.

Read more about the recent merger of the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Rosenbach Museum collection.

Sendak's Writing Advice

"You cannot write for children ... They're much too complicated. You can only write books that are of interest to them."
-Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak's bookplate

Don't miss today's excellent animated Google Doodle for Maurice Sendak's birthday.

Chicken Soup

From Chicken Soup With Rice,
 by Maurice Sendak
Courtesy HarperCollins

In May
I truly think it best 
to be a robin 
lightly dressed
concocting soup
inside my nest.
Mix it once
mix it twice
mix that chicken soup 
with rice.


Is anyone disturbed that this bird is making CHICKEN soup?


more

What Do You Say, Dear?

What Do You Say, Dear?
Written by Sesyle Joslin
Illustrated by Maurice Sendak

This was my first and favorite encounter with Maurice Sendak.  Sad perhaps, but true that I did not venture into the land of the Wild Things until I was quite grown, nor travel to the moon with Little Bear until I had little bears of my own.  I had never visited the Night Kitchen.  I had never been outside, over there.  But I knew what to say to a crocodile in the street, how to end a dance with a bear, and thanks to What Do You Do, Dear?, I knew how to exit a library under dangerous circumstances.  If you need a little help with etiquette, or a Sendak fix, why not uncover these treasures at your local library?


     

     

In Memory of Maurice Sendak

Illustration copyright 2012
by Charles Santoso

Author, illustrator, legend Maurice Sendak passed into eternity on Tuesday, May 8.  No matter your personal opinion or connection to his books, you cannot deny the extraordinary influence he had on a generation of readers and picture book makers.  Thanks to Australian illustrator Charles Santoso for his outstanding tribute pictured above.

Maurice Sendak
1928-2012

Making Mischief
A Maurice Sendak Appreciation
By Gregory Maguire

A Hole Is To Dig,
By Ruth Krauss

Here are some additional links to learn more about Sendak's life and work:
Rosenbach Museum tribute
The Worlds of Maurice Sendak
Philadelphia Daily News article regarding death and the Rosenbach
PBS interview
Bookish Ambition highlight
Wiki Bibliography

The Art of Maurice Sendak,
By Selma G. Lanes

The Art of Maurice Sendak
1980 to Present,
By Tony Kushner

Sendak in the Spring

Maurice Sendak gave us many Wild Things.  Come and see them at the Rosenbach Museum in Philadelphia.  Along with the regular Sendak collection,  there will be a Wild rumpus on March 24th and 25th.  The activities and exhibit will focus on three of Maurice Sendak's books:  Outside, Over There, Brundibar, and The Sign On Rosie's Door.  Don't miss this opportunity to view the sketches and dummies.  Get a rare glimpse of the making of a classic picture book by a master of the craft.