And it is through fantasy that children achieve catharsis. It is the best means they have for taming wild things.

— Maurice Sendak

And Max, the king of all wild things, was lonely and wanted to be where someone loved him best of all.

— Maurice Sendak

But the wild things cried, “Oh please don’t go - we’ll eat you up - we love you so!” And Max said, “No!” The wild things roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws, but Max stepped into his private boat and waved goodbye.

— Maurice Sendak

Childhood is a tricky business. Usually, something goes wrong.

— Maurice Sendak

Childhood is cannibals and psychotics vomiting in your mouth!

— Maurice Sendak

Each month is gay, Each season nice, When eating Chicken Sopwith rice

— Maurice Sendak

. . .from their earliest years children live on familiar terms with disrupting emotions, fear and anxiety are an intrinsic part of their everyday lives, they continually cope with frustrations as best they can. And it is through fantasy that children achieve catharsis. It is the best means they have for taming Wild Things.

— Maurice Sendak

I adored Mickey Mouse when I was a child. He was the emblem of happiness and funniness.

— Maurice Sendak

I became a set designer for opera. I'm a great opera buff, I love classical music, and I needed a time-out.

— Maurice Sendak

I have nothing now but praise for my life. I'm not unhappy. Furthermore, I cry a lot because I miss people. They die and I can't stop them. They leave me and I love them more...

— Maurice Sendak