create work that is not vapid or stupid, but original work that excites and incites. The goal of The Sendak Fellowship, in Maurice’s words, is for the Fellows to “. Throughout the Fellowship guest illustrators and writers lead wide-ranging discussions on publishing, illustrating, writing, and the creative process. Much of Maurice’s original work is available for viewing by the Fellows, an education in itself. While receiving inspiration from each other, the Fellows gain insight from visiting artists and professionals in the field. It gives artists the opportunity to deeply engage in their work in the relative isolation of a rural setting. Once a year, The Sendak Fellowship offers a four-week residency for two to four artists to live and work away from the distractions of their daily routines.

Though Sendak was only able to greet and mentor two groups of Fellows before his passing, his legacy was carried on each year. In 2009, Maurice Sendak enlisted the help of his long-time assistant, Lynn Caponera, as well as photographer and community activist Dona Ann McAdams to help realize his vision of a residency for illustrators and in 2010 The Sendak Fellowship was founded. Though Sendak, on occasion, taught illustrating and the art of the picture book in formal educational settings (Parsons School of Design, Yale, etc.), he wanted to create a more intimate setting for passing on his knowledge and artistic wisdom. As a young illustrator himself, Sendak was nurtured in the Connecticut home of Ruth Krauss ( A Hole Is To Dig) and Crockett Johnson ( Harold and the Purple Crayon). In 2003, Sendak received the first Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, an annual international prize for children’s literature established by the Swedish government.For many years, Maurice Sendak wanted to create an ongoing program for what he had been doing informally his whole career: mentoring promising illustrators. In 1970 he received the international Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Illustration, in 1983 he received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award from the American Library Association, and in 1996 he received a National Medal of Arts in recognition of his contribution to the arts in America. He received the 1964 Caldecott Medal for Where the Wild Things Are and is the creator of such classics as In the Night Kitchen, Outside Over There, Higglety Pigglety Pop!, and Nutshell Library. Maurice Sendak’s children’s books have sold over 30 million copies and have been translated into more than 40 languages.

Her books continue to be read and cherished by children throughout the world. Her long list of award-winning books includes The Carrot Seed, The Happy Day, A Hole Is to Dig, Open House for Butterflies, A Very Special House, and many others. Ruth Krauss was one of the most widely celebrated children’s book authors of all time.

A Hole is to Dig by Ruth Krauss