I love children’s books. I loved them as a child and I love them now. I find them to be a great source of comfort and inspiration. My 2 favorite authors, hands down are Daniel Manus Pinkwater and Maurice Sendak. This morning when, I read that Maurice Sendak had died, I felt that same sense of indescribable loss as the day I learned that Jim Henson had died. Although I have never met any of them, these men have shaped who I am today with the idiosyncrasies and quirks that embody their bodies of work.
When I was a child, my grandmother has a copy of the Nutshell Library at her house. I don’t think there is one time that I went to my grandmother’s house where I didn’t at least check to make sure the books were still there. The Nutshell Library is a collection of four miniature books in a cardboard “bookcase” that was about 3”x4”: Chicken Soup with Rice: a Book of Months, Pierre: A Cautionary Tale, Alligators all Around: An Alphabet and One was Johnny: A Counting Book. Carole King worked with Maurice Sandak to make an animated musical of the Nutshell Library called Really Rosie which remains a favorite to this day. In fact, my cat Rosie is named for Really Rosie. .
I can’t tell you what made those little books so compelling to me, but my attachment remains strong. A few years ago I couldn’t find the Nutshell Library after some children had come over to visit and was shocked at how strong my reaction was. Usually, I am content to say, “oh, it will turn up” when I misplace a book. But I was panicked when I couldn’t find my Nutshell Library. And the sense of panic didn’t go away. I did eventually find the books and like I did as I child, I still check on them regularly just to make sure I know where they are.
Unsurprisingly, the first thing I did when I learned that Maurice Sendak had died was get the Nutshell Library and read the books. They are now sitting here next to me as I type this. Unlike his characters, Maurice Sendak was mortal and losing him was inevitable. But, I am grateful that he left us with many great gifts of creative genius, for which I am sure he will be remembered for a long time to come.
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*For those who haven’t read the book, the story of Pierre is about a little boy who refuses to care. His parents beg him to care, and Pierre refuses. Eventually, his parents go off to work and leave him alone. While they are at work, a hungry lion drops by the house and asks Pierre if he would like to die and Pierre responds with his usual, “I don’t care.” The lion eats him. When his parents get home, they are distraught to discover that Pierre has been eaten by the lion. They rush him to the hospital where Pierre emerges whole and healthy, much to his parents relief. The lion offers, if Pierre would care, to give them a ride home on his back. Pierre “yes indeed, does care.” You can watch Carole King’s rendition of the story here: Pierre.