Maurice Bernard Sendak (1928–2012) was an American illustrator and writer, best known for “Where The Wild Things Are” (first published in 1963), which was awarded the Caldecott Medal the following year. He is the most important children’s book artist of the 20th century, having produced over 80 books, including In the Night Kitchen (1970), Outside Over There (1981) and Dear Mili (1988). Sendak was prolific and multi-talented, aside from illustrating books and magazines, posters and commercial advertising, he also designed sets and costumes for the opera and ballet.