Maurice Sendak
Maurice Sendak
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Today is famous American author and illustrator Maurice Sendak's 85th birthday, and Google is celebrating with an animated Google Doodle featuring characters from several of Sendak's children's books. Maurice Sendak is most well known for his book 'Where The Wild Things Are,' which was first published in 1963 and has since sold over 19 million copies worldwide as of 2009.

Sendak's love of books began at an early age when he developed health problems and was confined to his bed. He decided to become an illustrator after watching Walt Disney's film Fantasia at the age of twelve. Maurice Sendak died in 2012 after suffering a stroke.

Sendak's animated Google Doodle starts off with Max, the main character from 'Where the Wild Things Are,' traveling from his room to the forest with the 'Wild Things' in tow. It then transitions to the dreamlike cityscape from 'In The Night Kitchen,' a book about a boy's dream journey through an unconventional baker's kitchen. The animation ends with the birthday celebration form Sendak's book 'Bumble-Ardy' - published in 2011.

Watch Google Doodle's Animated tribute to Maurice Sendak:

Maurice Sendak with Wild Thing
Maurice Sendak poses with a 'Wild Thing' (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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