BLITZER: Sad news for the literary world today. The renowned children's author and illustrator Maurice Sendak is dead. He's best known for his timeless classic "Where The Wild Things Are," released in 1963. It's a true childhood classic that has touched the lives of generations of readers around the world. He won the Caldecott medal in 1964 for the book's unforgettable illustrations. One critic even called him and I'm quoting now, "The Picasso of children's literature." In 2009, the book was made into a feature film directed by Spike Jonze and Sendak's price book is still making its mark on children today. President Obama read "Where The Wild Things Are" to a crowd of thousands of this year's White House Easter Egg Roll participants. Sendak illustrated nearly 100 books during his 60-year career and also designed sets and costumes for operas and ballets. His last work entitled "My Brother's Book" will be published in February of next year. His publisher said Sendak died today in Danbury, Connecticut of complications following a recent stroke. The author and the illustrator, Maurice Sendak was 83 years old.
"Where the Wild Things Are" Author Dies at 83