Maurice Sendak

Children's Literature

In this simple, primary level biography, young readers meet Maurice Sendak. Divided into five short chapters with large type and wide margins, the book is appealing to readers who have just begun to read chapter books. Although Gaines does not use limited vocabulary, the sentence structure is simple and allows readers success with the text. The few accompanying black-and-white photographs give the reader a sense of the personality of Sendak. For children who find Where the Wild Things Are one of their favorite books, also having a brief biography of the author could be worthwhile. The book has a table of contents, index, timeline of Sendak's life, and a list of the books he has written. The book is part of the growing list of "Real-Life Reader Biographies." 2002, Mitchell Lane, $15.95. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer:J. B. Petty

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-These series titles are offered as "non-fictionalized stories that present the lives of contemporary, multicultural role models." The font size, ample white space, and vocabulary make them appropriate for transitional and reluctant readers. After introductory chapters about each author's popularity, information is presented in brief, chronological chapters. The material in Rowling is presented in an even manner but the text in Sendak is sometimes choppy and confusing. Additionally, there is some misinformation. (The first line of the book states that Where the Wild Things Are was Sendak's first picture book. It wasn't.) There are too many inaccuracies in this book to recommend purchase. Margin notes clue readers in to what can be found in the texts, but not all correspond to information found on the same page. Each book contains quotes, but the sources are not noted. Average-quality, black-and-white captioned photographs are scattered throughout each volume. Sendak has a list of his selected works, but neither title has a list for further reading. Libraries owning S. Ward's Meet J. K. Rowling (Rosen, 2001) will not need Gaines's title; stick with the collective biographies you already have to supply information on Sendak.-Kathleen Simonetta, Indian Trails Public Library District, Wheeling, IL Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.