Maurice Sendak wrote one of my favorite books, Outside Over There. Which in turn has become one of my students’ favorites.
My students love the story behind why I love this book. They love the history. They are fascinated by the inscription in the front from my aunt. And they love how they were able to figure out how old I am because I told them my aunt gave it to me the year my brother was born, so I would always be the best big sister I could. They love Ida and her wonder horn.They love the goblins and the ice baby.
They also love laughing at the naked baby drawings. I read it to my class today in honor of his death. Above is a picture of my copy of Outside Over There given to me in 1987, when I was 3 years old. My little brother was born 5 months earlier.
“So I write books that seem more suitable for children, and that’s OK with me. They are a better audience and tougher critics. Kids tell you what they think, not what they think they should think.”