Dear Humans,

Last week my family went to the Maurice Sendak exhibition at the Denver Art Museum. Sendak wrote and illustrated Where the Wild Things Are and many other books and plays.

And the reason that Sendak’s children’s books were (and remain) so popular is that he didn’t sugarcoat anything. He treated children with respect, and he knew that they know that life is tough, life is wild, and, sometimes, life is ugly. In exactly the same ways that it can be beautiful, wonderful, and full of joy.

And he drew that in his pictures. And he wrote that in his words. Because he knew that kids knew it. Even if other adults don’t always like to admit it.

Sincerely,

Mr. Curt