Comments on: An unpublishable tribute to Sendak…

By: Ilana Waters

Ilana Waters — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 02:32:03 +0000

“…when I looked at it again, I realized that it was COMPLETELY derivative of not one but TWO Sendak books…which was a huge wake-up for me–the realization that children’s literature is deeply embedded in me (as it is in all of us). So deeply embedded that we don’t even realize when we’re pirating.

Sendak is in me, in theme and story, in rhyme and rhythm. How could he not be?”

Hi Laurel–BEAUTIFUL poetry. But I think your last line says it all. “How could he not be [in me]?” If you hadn’t told me these works were derivative of Sendak, I never would have guessed it. To my mind, no “pirating” took place. All authors are inspired by each other.

Please don’t deprive the world of this lovely work because you feel you are somehow “stealing.” “There’s nothing new under the sun,” and other writers are living in us constantly. In that way, we carry on their legacy, as you have done with Sendak. He is gone, bless him, but world needs NEW Sendaks. NEW “Where the Wild Things Are.” Can you imagine a world with no books inspired by other authors? I tell you, the shelves would be empty.

Well, that’s just my opinion. But if a house liked your work enough to consider it so strongly, I think it deserves a second chance. And I’m sure Mr. Sendak would agree (in his own cantankerous, pokey way)

By: Kerry Clare

Kerry Clare — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:37:02 +0000

I’ve always found you quite Sendakian. The line between wild rumpuses and clatter and din hullaballoo is not so wide…

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Sat, 19 May 2012 03:51:35 +0000

Wonderful story!

By: Eula

Eula — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:33:52 +0000

Oh, I want your Tilly book for Juneau!

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:31:12 +0000

I LOVED your story and your words and rhyming. And like Sendak, it was scary, but I couldn’t stop reading and children won’t be able to stop either. Your first line was pure Sendak and the Wily Corn Bears were wonderful wild things.

By: Sandra Bornstein

Sandra Bornstein — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:53:04 +0000

Thanks for sharing your wonderful story.

By: Mom

Mom — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:56:28 +0000

I remember Tilly!
But then, I remember how many times I read Wild Things to you and I can approximate the number of times that you read it to yourself.
Nice to see her again.

By: Trish

Trish — Wed, 09 May 2012 03:23:14 +0000

Shades of Rosetti’s Goblin Market, too. Nice tribute, really nice writing. Thanks for being so on top of things.

By: Venessa Ann Schwarz

Venessa Ann Schwarz — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:49:15 +0000

Very sweet Laurel! You’re talent is amazing. I didn’t know Sendak had passed away. I saw him on Colbert a few months back and surprised by his, well … great ability to “poke.” But I have to say it was extremely funny and honestly he was and always will be a “great” in children’s literature. Thanks much!

By: Jenny Schwartzberg

Jenny Schwartzberg — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:59:54 +0000

That’s fun! I do see the echoes of Where the Wild Things Are but also of Little Black Sambo and of Vachel Lindsay’s poetry. Thank you for sharing that.