And it was still hot

Maurice Sendak has sadly died, at the ripe but still too young age of 83. The wonderful Mr Sendak is probably my favourite children's author of all time. Where The Wild Things Are was one of my best early childhood books (along with Fantastic Mr Fox and Charlotte's Web). And those memories last, as the old poster of the Wild Things above my bed must prove. Many of his other books have been coming back to me today too - like A Hole Is To Dig, which he illustrated with characteristic humour and life, and the surely-written-for-Sesame Street Chicken Soup With Rice, which I only discovered today was recorded by Carole King, along with various other Sendak books, including the cautionary tale of Pierre 'I Don't Care!' (who was swallowed up by a lion, so let that be a lesson to all you nihilists out there). And the absolutely brilliant In The Night Kitchen ('Milk in the batter! Milk in the batter! We bake cake and nothing's the matter!'), which is apparently one of the most banned books in American libraries, because they object to child nudity in a food preparation area.

The man was a generous visionary, with a boundless imagination that he shared with the world over 60 years. Rest in peace, Mr Sendak, and thank you for the magic.