Go Wild at the Central Library this Month

Over countless bedtimes and in endless bedrooms, the words of author Maurice Sendak have transformed beds into boats, transporting awe-struck little ones to the land where the wild things are. A place where any child can become king and turn those who frighten him or her into fellow rumpus revelers.

In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Sendak’s most beloved children’s classic and the memoires it has created for three generations, the St. Louis Public Library (SLPL) is hosting a month of special events, activities and exhibits to honor the writer and his collection of works.

Go Wild at SLPL: The Art of Maurice Sendak will open at the Central Library location, 1301 Olive Street in downtown St. Louis, on September 5. This memorial exhibition, based on a recent show at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, not only welcomes families to explore 50 original works of art by Sendak, it lets kids step into the shoes of his most famous hero.

Let the wild rumpus start!

Enter the Go Wild exhibit and you enter a life-size, interactive replica of Max’s bedroom from Where the Wild Things Are. Here your kids can hang out in Max’s bed, play in his imaginary forest, and climb in his sailboat to dream of a world that awaits. Throughout the library, the monsters who roar their terrible roars and gnash their terrible teeth hide out, waiting to be discovered by new playmates.

In addition, Central Library features two related exhibits: Good Books for Bad Children: Ursula Nordstrom and the Authors Who Changed Children’s Literature, which features unique items from the Library’s collection, including Sendak’s first illustration credit and an 1892 edition of Mother Goose.

The Love and Fear of Sendak: Interactive Book Display & Virtual Read-Out explores why his work is both celebrated by fans and challenged by critics, and allows you to comment on this iconic writer.

Families can even eat in the land of the monsters during Breakfast With the Wild Things on October 3 and 10 at 8:30 a.m. The event includes breakfast, a photo with the book’s characters, early entrance to the exhibit, and a special gift for children. Reservations are required, but admission is free.

According to Patty Carleton, director of youth services for SLPL, the response to the exhibition has been overwhelming with kids and adults alike on the edge of their seats for opening day.

“Sendak’s influence on children’s literature is huge,” she remarked. “He really made it ok for readers to acknowledge that kids aren’t always sweetness and light – they have a voice that wants to be heard. He really respects children, and with his words, helps them feel resilient and empowered. They know they can be a powerful agent in our world.”

An entire month of thrills

The wild fun extends to other library branches as well. Across the city and throughout the month, SLPL is offering a variety of children’s and adult programming to tie in with the exhibition. Kids can make their own puppets, create a sailboat, and whip up delicious food that will tame the tummies of the most ravenous monsters.

In addition, STAGES Performing Arts Academy brings Where the Wild Things Are to life at Central Library auditorium on September 19 starting at 2 p.m.

Parents can relive the excitement they remember from their childhood as well with lectures, readings and an art class that revolve around Sendak’s work and that of other children’s authors, including a special book signing on October 1 by Leonard Marcus, one of the world’s leading writers on children’s literature and a regular contributor to the New York Times Book Review.

Said Carleton, “Go Wild is really an experience the whole family can share. Through the exhibition and the programming, we want to showcase the power of literature. Sendak showed that it’s fun, it’s exciting and it’s unexpected. He really tapped into the minds of kids and captured what they’re thinking.”

Go Wild at SLPL runs from September 5 – October 18, 2015, and all events are free. The exhibit is open Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For a full list of Go Wild events and programming, visit www.slpl.org/gowild.

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