He discussed why he rarely does book signings anymore: He has seen so many children herded before him by parents who have drilled the children in the preceding days about how they have to be quiet, how they have to be respectful of Mr. Sendak, how they have to be polite to Mr. Sendak, etc. so by the time they approach the table with him sitting on the other side, the children are terrified. Sendak said it was just too painful for him to see so many uncomfortable children – and children who were uncomfortable by him.

And, you probably saw the recent interview where someone was tut-tutting about whether parents would be upset by the dark parts of the movie and Sendak responded “They can go to hell.” Bravo.