Author/Illustrator Maurice Sendak Career Biography

Who would have thought that Maurice Sendak would become one of the most influential, and controversial, creators of childrens books in the twentieth century? Maurice Sendak was born on June 10, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York and died on May 8, 2012. He was the youngest of three children, each born five years apart. His Jewish family had immigrated to the United States from Poland before World War I and were to lose many of their relatives to the Holocaust during World War II. His father was a wonderful storyteller, and Maurice grew up enjoying his fathers imaginative tales and gaining a lifelong appreciation for books. Sendaks early years were influenced by his sickliness, his hatred of school, and the war. From an early age, he knew he wanted to be an illustrator. While still attending high school, he became an illustrator for All-American Comics. Sendak subsequently worked as a window dresser for F.A.O. Schwartz, a well-known toy store in New York City. How did he then get involved in illustrating and writing and illustrating childrens books? Maurice Sendak, Author, and Illustrator of Childrens Books Sendak began to illustrate childrens books after meeting Ursula Nordstrom, a childrens book editor at Harper and Brothers. The first was The Wonderful Farm by Marcel Ayme, which was published in 1951 when Sendak was 23 years old. By the time he was 34, Sendak had written and illustrated seven books and illustrated 43 others. A Caldecott Medal and Controversy With the publication of Where the Wild Things Are in 1963 for which Sendak won the 1964 Caldecott Medal, Maurice Sendaks work earned both acclaim and controversy. Sendak addressed some of the complaints about the scary aspects of his book in his Caldecott Medal acceptance speech, saying: â€Å"Certainly, we want to protect our children from new and painful experiences that are beyond their emotional comprehension and that intensify anxiety; and to a point we can prevent premature exposure to such experiences. That is obvious. But what is just as obvious-and what is too often overlooked is the fact that from their earliest years children live on familiar terms with disrupting emotions, that fear and anxiety are an intrinsic part of their everyday lives, that they continually cope with frustration as best they can. And it is through fantasy that children achieve catharsis. It is the best means they have for taming Wild Things. As he went on to create other popular books and characters, there seemed to be two schools of thought. Some people felt that his stories were too dark and disturbing for children. The majority view was that Sendak, through his work, had pioneered a completely new way of writing and illustrating for, and about, children. Both Sendaks stories and some of his illustrations were subject to controversy. For example, the nude little boy in Sendaks picture book In the Night Kitchen was one of the reasons the book was 21st among the 100 most frequently challenged books of the 1990s and 24th among the 100 most frequently challenged books of the 2000s. Maurice Sendak’s Impact In his book, Angels and Wild Things: The Archetypal Poetics of Maurice Sendak, John Cech, Professor of English at the University of Florida and a past president of the Childrens Literature Association, wrote: Indeed, without Sendak, an enormous void would exist in contemporary American (and, for that matter, international) childrens books. One can only try to imagine what the landscape of childrens literature would be like without Sendaks fantasies and the characters and places visited in them. These fantasies essentially broke through the relatively unperturbed surfaces of postwar American childrens literature, sending his children - Rosie, Max, Mickey, Jennie, Ida - on journeys into regions of the psyche that childrens books had not dared visit before. That these journeys have been embraced by countless other childrens authors and their audiences since Sendaks seminal works is apparent when you look at the childrens books presently being published. Maurice Sendak Honored Starting with the first book he illustrated (The Wonderful Farm by Marcel Ayme) in 1951, Maurice Sendak illustrated or wrote and illustrated more than 90 books. The list of awards presented to him is too long to include in full. Sendak received the 1964 Randolph Caldecott Medal for Where the Wild Things Are and the Hans Christian Andersen International Medal in 1970 for his body of childrens books. He was the recipient of the American Book Award in 1982 for Outside Over There. In 1983, Maurice Sendak received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his contributions to childrens literature. In 1996, Sendak was honored by the President of the United States with the National Medal of Arts. In 2003, Maurice Sendak and Austrian author Christine Noestlinger shared the first Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for Literature. Sources Cech, John. Angels and Wild Things: The Archetypal Poetics of Maurice Sendak. Pennsylvania State Univ Press, 1996Lanes, Selma G. The Art of Maurice Sendak. Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1980Sendak, Maurice. Caldecott Co.: Notes on Books Pictures. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1988.

The Issue Of Teen Suicide - 1744 Words

Teen suicide Every year about 4,400 innocent people take their life for unnecessary reasons. (Elias 5,3) Whether it is due to personal problems, bullying or feeling not wanted. Although the teen suicide rates have not significantly increased or decreased within the last several decades (Elias 1,2)We want loved ones, class mates or friends still here with us to experience a life. But instead, there always has to be ruthless people in this world. Also some selfish people who just care about themselves and never see or ask how anyone else is. Someone whose life is already ruined tries to talk or plan about suicide to another person to try to get their life over with, so the messed up person who has a ruined life does not have to worry about anyone else who has such a good life ahead of them. (Alison 5,6)Teen suicide is an important issue because it threatens so many lives that have great potential. Definition of Types of Suicide The Oxford English Dictionary defines Suicide as an act of taking one’s own life; one who dies by his own hands, self-murder Suicide is the process of purposely ending one s own life. Emile Durkheim defines suicide as follows:(1897) illustrates the types of suicide he advocate. In this book he discusses four different kinds of suicide: Egoistic suicide, Altruistic suicide, Anomic suicide and Fatalistic suicide. 1)Egoistic Suicide: Egoistic Suicide according to Durkheim, is caused by lack of social integration of society in the religiousShow MoreRelatedThe Issue Of Teen Suicide1715 Words   |  7 Pagescommit suicide? What’s the first thing you would do? Scream? Cry? Help? Many people wish they had helped their friend after they commit suicide. Being the victim is scary, being the witness is scarier, and being the bystander is the scariest. Suicide has been a problem for a very long time. It can be caused by stress,anxiety, bullying, and mental illnesses. Teen suicide is a huge problem because there are so many situations that can stress you out and just make you give up, especially as a teen. AlmostRead MoreThe Issue Of Teen Suicide4465 Words   |  18 Pagesone’s likelihood to commit suicide. From 2011 to 2015, teen suicide has transformed into a consequential issue within the United States of America. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among American teenagers between the ages of twelve and eighteen, and is the third leading cause of death for those aged ten to fourteen. Back in 2011, the suicide death rate for those teenagers aged thirteen to nineteen was 6.74 per 100,000, an aggregate of 2,014 teens. Suicide also accounted for 17 percentRead MoreThe Issue Of Teen Suicide1135 Words   |  5 PagesSouth and was asked to take a survey about teen suicide. At the time, I served as a volunteer in the emergency room, and as a member of the hospital, it was required to take these types of surveys about once every month. These surveys usually are composed of the main crippling diseases of America: Heart Disease, Diabetes, Obesity, etc. However, this survey concerned the topic of teen suicide. I wasn’t shocked by this topic matter. I knew that teen suicide has been rapidly increasing over the pastRead MoreTeen Suicide : A Growing Issue2095 Words   |  9 PagesTeen suicide is a growing issue in the United States. In order to prevent it, we need a better understanding on it. What is teen suicide? Teen suicide which is better known as youth suicide is when a young person, generally categorized as someone below age 24, deliberately end their own life. Rates of attempted suicide and completed youth suicide in western societies and other countries are extremely high. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, suicide is the third leading cause ofRead MoreSocial Issues in Hong Kong Teen Suicide1265 Words   |  6 Pagesultimately suicide The number of teenagers taking their own lives is increasing rapidly each year. Hong Kong was ranked 23rd out of 107 countries following suicides per 100,000 per year in 2009. Together we can help prevent this devastating trend going on in our youth. We need to inform everyone of what the warning signs are of a teenager contemplating suicide. Once we have that recognized we can seek them the proper help they need. No one should feel as though they need to commit suicide for anyRead MoreTeen Suicide Is The Third Leading Cause Death For High School Students1396 Words   |  6 PagesOver the years teen suicide has increased tremendously. According to Michael Jellinek, â€Å"the adolescent may feel they have no choice but to end their intense internal suffering or to solve a hopeless dilemma by ending it all†(Preventing Teen Suicide). According to the Center of Disease Prevention, â€Å"suicide is the third-leading cause of death for high school students after car accidents and homicides†(Bratsis). Everyday teens are faced with internal struggles and challenges that are difficult to copeRead MoreTeen Suicide Essays1064 Words   |  5 Pagesbut by their own hands. They make the choice to take their lives; they commit suicide. To begin, what is â€Å"Suicide†? According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, suicide is the act or instance of taking one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally. The number of teenagers who take their lives is rapidly increasing each year. Teen suicide is escalating out of control and no one seems to realize just how severe the issue has become. Every day and average of 18 young Americans end their lives, one everyRead MoreThe Growing Issue Of Suicide904 Words   |  4 Pages9 October 12 The Growing Issue: Suicide Suicide is a very large and growing problem in American teens. It is one of the leading causes of death among adolescents, following accidental injury and coming before homicide, it affects not only the teens that commit suicide but everyone around them, and it can be solved by learning how to deal with the people who are having suicidal. Suicide is the act or instance of taking ones life voluntarily and intentionally. Suicide may seem like something thatRead MoreEssay about Teen Suicide916 Words   |  4 Pagesfaced with problems on a daily basis. When they are unable to deal with those daily hassles, serious problems can develop within the teen that can ultimately lead to resulting effects including depression or even suicide. Suicide in teens is one of the most traumatic and problematic issues that we face today in not only adults but many adolescents as well. Today suicide is one of the top causes for death in teenagers, out shadowed only by homicides and accidents. Some of the top â€Å"accidents† includeRead MoreThe Cause Death Of Suicide1495 Words   |  6 PagesEnding Cause to Death. Have you ever lost a family or a friend to suicide? Many people and even I will answer this question with â€Å"yes.† The rate of death, caused by suicide, in the world is way too high. Scientist are relating most of these deaths to teens and retired army members. Every year suicide rates keep climbing. The world need to find a better solution to stopping or lower the rates of suicide. Suicide is a huge social issue that is effecting not only friends and family but, the nation.

The Killer Angels Free Essays

â€Å"The Killer Angels† written by Michael Shaara in 1974, published by Ballantine Books, is a story showing the courage and heroism of people involved in the Battle of Gettysburg that took place in 1863. The novel presents the battle in an objective manner, and does not take sides when displaying the position of the two armies on the subject of slavery. It is an outstanding book and is worth reading due to the presence of real characters. We will write a custom essay sample on The Killer Angels or any similar topic only for you Order Now In other words, the characters have been brought to life and the audience not only gets to learn about the battle itself, but also about the views and opinions of the participants. One of the most interesting methods is how Shaara presents the narrative through the viewpoints of army personnel, which makes the events come to life. The results are well rounded characters, detailed imagery, and an objectivity that didn’t label either side as the hero. Michael Shaara first developed a passion for writing when he was in grade school. After graduation, Shaara joined the armed forces where he served as a paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne Division, a seaman, and police officer. In 1951, he graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree and continued his educational process by engaging in some graduate work at Columbia University and the University of Vermont. After publishing many science fiction novels Shaara begin to take on larger project such as writing war novels. In The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, vivid imagery, details, and insightful character development reveal the differences between the Union army and the Confederacy. These two armies have different causes for fighting, but the main cause for the war is slavery. This key issue sparked the war. The Confederacy is fighting for independence from the North, yet the Union is fighting for freedom and an end to slavery. The thesis of this novel in my opinion reads as, although we are soldiers that are highly trained and motivated war still is a constant struggle in our everyday lives and the lives of our families. War is never easy and we engage in this job for the loyalty, courage, selfless service, duty, honor, integrity and personal courage to stand and protect this place we call home. The main point isn’t primarily focused on displaying the soldiers’ reasons for fighting the war, but Shaara wants to focus on the soldiers as individuals and how they cope with the stress of being in a war zone. At times, history books show the impact from such an objective point of view that the experience itself isn’t made easily understood by students or readers. Shaara gives life to the events and allows the audience to emotionally engage with individuals  involved in it by the arrangement of his powerful words. Providing us with a more personalized understanding of a war from which we are otherwise removed. The main values that Shaara personally incorporated was Selfless Service he took it upon himself to write at book specifically detailed to highlight a soldier’s point of view. Honor is another value outlined by Shaara the way that he states how the officers talk to the soldiers and explain how they can make a difference not only in the community that they live but in the world shows that both parties exhibit honor to be viewed as soldier whether union or confederate. Personally, I agree with the thesis outlined by this author because you never read in the history books or gain an understanding of the aspects of the soldier, the strain that they undergo or the risks that they take that can impact their lives. They do all of this not by placing self first, but the welfare of you the people. I understand because being a soldier is not easy you not only impact your self but the love ones around you, it really does take one dedicated individual to engage in this job as a soldier. How to cite The Killer Angels, Papers

Barn Burning Perception free essay sample

Barn Burning Perception Carts in Barn Burning is shown to be too young to testify In the opening scene of the story because of his age. This limit helps him from revealing too much knowledge that would impact his fathers persecution. I believe throughout the story, there Is more detail that goes into the relationship struggle between Carts and his father than the explanation of the class conflict crawls happening between the sharecroppers. When his father pulls him aside the first time, It was because he new Carts would have told the Justice of the Peace the truth had he been given the opportunity. HIS father teaches him a lesson that you never turn your back on your family, however In the end Carts eventually does. This goes back to the tradition that his father created moving from one family to another. Sarasota growing up enough to realize that it was wrong for them to be happening, and he was wise enough to see that other family members were making the same references by saying things like anti fitting for hawks. We will write a custom essay sample on Barn Burning: Perception or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I think Carts could e for himself that no one really wanted to continue this way of creating problems and moving from place to place, but no one could really stop it from happening. It was a conflict of learning to make your own decisions, even if it is not what your family believes or has always done in the past. In the end, if his mother and aunt wanted to keep him from warning the land owner they would have. The aunt even made the comment if he dont go, before God, I am going up there myself! They deep down wanted Carts to make the run to warn him and try to end it once and for all.After Carts heard the gun shots, it is not revealed who it was that actually was shot. He then hides in the woods and doesnt make the trip back home, he then again is old enough to know that the decision he has made to turn against his own father would cause him to be unwelcome in his home. In the beginning of the story he is made to be a small boy and at the end of the story he is described to give the sympathy on the small boy alone in the woods, but throughout the rest he is shown as growing up and learning lessons along the way. Barn Burning: Perception By amassableCarts in Barn Burning is shown to be too young to testify in the opening scene of there is more detail that goes into the relationship struggle between Carts and his father than the explanation of the class conflict crisis happening between th e sharecroppers. When his father pulls him aside the first time, it was because he opportunity. His father teaches him a lesson that you never turn your back on your family, however in the end Carts eventually does.