11 Comments
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Bruce Handy's avatar

I wasn't familiar with the term "HOOZIS," thought it was maybe a nickname or something, but looked it up and it's a variation on "what's his name." Ouch! As a hater of "The Giving Tree" I kind of get it. That book is almost the opposite of Sendak, all text, no subtext.

Ann's avatar

This is cool. I have a note from Sendak from about 30 years ago. I wrote to him when my son was little and we asked about his dog. We sent him a picture of our dog and he wrote back that he liked it. Haha I sure hope I can find that!

María Ochoa's avatar

What a treasure. These days, someone creates work on a tablet, and the future treasurer hunter would, in turn, scan and send it as an email attachment. There'd be no yellowing tape marks fringed in the detritus of time, no discoloration of the vellum. Likely, there's the musty odor of old paper. Sigh. Thankfully, there are still those who value the art of the handmade.

Alison Knight's avatar

I love that Sendak's note to the right also applies to himself- "when you get FAMOUS and successful you can get away with STUFF like this"- because Sendak is so beloved and cherished that this level of petty, which could be off-putting in so many other people, has this beautiful charm to it.

Elayne Crain's avatar

Oh my. Call the doctor, 'cuz that pen was poisoned!

What a cool find!! A conversation piece, that's for sure!

Sarah Massini's avatar

I had a peek at a YouTube reading of The Missing Piece. It's a really clever existentialist little ditty. But I get Sendak's irritation. On the plus side for Sendak, his attention to illustrative detail is standing the test of time.

Deborah's avatar

Tell me you bought it

Christine Gardner's avatar

How in the world did you discover this?? What a find.