I've convinced myself - I hope I'm right - that children despair of you if you don't tell them the truth

I've convinced myself - I hope I'm right - that children despair of you if you don't tell them the truth

Maurice Sendak, the beloved children's author and illustrator, was known for his honesty and authenticity in his work. He believed that children were perceptive and intuitive, and that they could sense when they were being lied to or misled. Sendak once said, “I've convinced myself - I hope I'm right - that children despair of you if you don't tell them the truth.”

Sendak's belief in the importance of telling children the truth was evident in his books, which often dealt with difficult and complex themes such as death, fear, and loneliness. In his most famous work, "Where the Wild Things Are," Sendak explores the emotions of a young boy named Max who acts out and is sent to his room without supper. Through his imaginative journey to the land of the Wild Things, Max learns to confront his feelings of anger and frustration and ultimately returns home to find a warm meal waiting for him.

Sendak's willingness to address challenging topics in his books was groundbreaking at the time, as many children's books shied away from such themes. However, Sendak believed that children were capable of understanding and processing difficult emotions, and that it was important to be honest with them about the world around them.