Maurice Bernard Sendak┬а(1928 тАУ 2012) was an American illustrator and writer of┬аchildren's books. He became widely known for his book┬аWhere the Wild Things Are, first published in 1963.┬аBorn to Jewish-Polish parents, his childhood was affected by the death of many of his family members during┬аthe Holocaust. Sendak also wrote works such as┬аIn the Night Kitchen,┬аOutside Over There, and illustrated many works by other authors including the┬аLittle Bear┬аbooks by┬аElse Holmelund Minarik.