Maurice Sendak, the author best known for Where the Wild Things Are, has passed away at the age of 83.  When he was 12, Sendak saw Walt Disney's Fantasia, and was inspired to be come an illustrator.  He worked for other authors before he wrote and illustrated his own children's book, Where the Wild Things Are, in 1963.  He then won the Newberry Award, a distinguished honor for children's literature, for illustrating Isaac Bashevis Singer's 1966 book Zlateh the Goat.  Sendak was deeply protective of having Where the Wild Things Are adapted into a movie, but finally gave his blessing to director Spike Jonze, who created the wonderful 2009 adaptation.  Sendak's books have touched the lives of multiple generations, and he will be greatly missed.  Please click over to The New York Times for a full obituary chronicling Sendak's rich life.

After the jump, you can find Spike Jonze and Lance Bangs's 2009 documentary Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak, Sendak's brilliant interview with Stephen Colbert from earlier this year, and the trailer for Jonze's adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are.  Our deepest condolences go out to Mr. Sendak's family and friends.