Maurice Sendak

I do not remember any proper children's books in my childhood. I was not exposed to them.

I had a brother who was my savior, made my childhood bearable.

What I do as best I can is out of a deep respect for children, for how difficult their world is.

I've convinced myself - I hope I'm right - that children despair of you if you don't tell them the truth.

Parents shouldn't assume children are made out of sugar candy and will break and collapse instantly.

Grown-ups are afraid for children. It's not children who are afraid.

I don't write for children. I write and someone says it's for children.

Most children - I know I did when I was a kid - fantasize another set of parents. Or fantasize no parents. They don't tell their real parents about that - you don't want to tell Mom and Dad.

I only have one subject. The question I am obsessed with is: How do children survive?

In plain terms, a child is a complicated creature who can drive you crazy. There's a cruelty to childhood, there's an anger.

I refuse to lie to children.

I'm not a religious person.