August 13, 2012
by Rada
4 Comments
Can you believe it’s actually over? A little over two weeks ago, the world became captivated by the 2012 Olympic summer games in London. An event, where nations around the world get together to compete, form new friendships and cheer … Continue reading
July 12, 2012
by Kris
0 comments
Believe it or not, there are still some children and teens who haven’t yet signed up for the Summer Reading Challenge: Dream Big READ! Why are we calling it a “challenge?” Think of it as a dare–the library is … Continue reading
July 11, 2012
by Lisa O.
0 comments
Did you know we have games for kids to play in Children’s Services? Not only do we offer kids games on our computers, but we also offer board games and toys that kids can play right here in the library. … Continue reading
June 22, 2012
by Kris
1 Comment
South Benders are lucky–we’ve got access to great sporting events, educational institutions, live performances of all types, and a beautiful river that runs right through the heart of our fair city. Here’s another piece of lucky for you: renowned & … Continue reading
June 6, 2012
by Jake
2 Comments
Ray Bradbury, author of the Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles, has passed away at the age of 91. To say that he was influential to science fiction writing would be an understatement. Many credit him with turning what was … Continue reading
A friend came by my office today and brought me the news that one of my favorite authors, maybe my all-time favorite, Maurice Sendak, had passed. I’ve saved very few children’s books from my childhood; Where the Wild Things Are is one of those few. How to explain the brilliance of Maurice Sendak?
1. Beautiful, magical art–can a reader keep from touching it?
2. Funny, entertaining characters and tales that make children (and adults) think
3. Child characters as they really are–grumpy, conniving, tender–all of those things, mixed together in a package that’s often infuriating and frustrating for adults. (Can you tell I’m a parent?) I’m pretty sure I was a very normal child (i.e. pain in my parent’s necks); my greatest dream at age 6 was that I was adopted and that my real parents were coming soon. I was the Queen of all wild things.
My guess is that Maurice Sendak’s characters are some part of himself–his brilliance, zest for life, and especially his grumpiness.
Thank you Mr. Sendak for sharing your art, your humor, your soul with us. I hope you are enjoying a wild rumpus, wherever you are.
For a more in-depth look at the life and work of Maurice Sendak, see today’s New York Times article or this bio from PBS, dated 2007.
Please visit Main Library Children’s Services or any of our branches to see or request these great titles written and/or illustrated by the master himself:
April 4, 2012
by Pedro
0 comments
He’s howled for everything from public speakers to AdventureTravel. He’s howled both for and against reading the classics. Now, our very own Hank, of “Hank Howls” fame, will be on WNIT’s “Experience Michiana” howling about One Book, One Michiana with … Continue reading
January 3, 2012
by Maire
1 Comment
If you use Twitter, you should really follow @sweden. Recently, the Swedish Tourism Ministry decided to select a new Swedish citizen every week to run the country’s official Twitter account. The results have been amazing and entertaining. Last week was … Continue reading
September 21, 2011
by Lisa O.
0 comments
Today in Toddlertime, I played the song “Jump Up, Turn Around” for 2 & 3-year-olds who gleefully moved to the music. “Jump Up, Turn Around” is just one of many songs by Jim Gill that I use regularly to get … Continue reading
September 1, 2011
by Pedro
0 comments
You’ve just had a wonderful evening of food and entertainment. As you walk the streets of Downtown South Bend, chills race up your spine. You can hear shuffling from behind, feet scraping the pavement, almost against their will. That’s when … Continue reading
