( CNN ) -- Maurice Sendak , author of the classic children 's book `` Where the Wild Things Are , '' has died , a spokeswoman for HarperCollins Publishers said Tuesday . He was 83 . Sendak illustrated nearly 100 books during a 65-year career , winning dozens of accolades as he endeared himself to generations of children reared on his fanciful stories . One critic called him `` the Picasso of children 's literature . '' Former President Bill Clinton called him the `` king of dreams . '' He died Tuesday in Danbury , Connecticut , of complications from a recent stroke . Born in Brooklyn the son of Polish immigrants , Sendak grew up to take a few night classes but largely taught himself as an artist . He is best known for `` Where the Wild Things Are . '' It tells the story of a boy named Max who dresses in a white wolf costume and escapes his life at home by sailing to a remote land , where he discovers wild things who roar their terrible roars and gnash their terrible teeth . The book stirred controversy when it was first published in 1963 . Many librarians initially feared it would disturb children , but it has become a timeless classic well-stocked in bookstores and libraries around the world . `` Where the Wild Things Are '' won the Caldecott Medal in 1964 , considered the most prestigious award for illustrated children 's books . The book was adapted into a feature-length film in 2009 . It was in the news again when President Obama read the story to children at this year 's White House Easter egg roll . Sendak also wrote `` In the Night Kitchen , '' `` Chicken Soup with Rice , '' and `` Alligators All Around , '' among many others . In 1970 , he won the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration , the only American ever to receive the honor . His entire body of work was recognized with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award , given by the American Library Association . Sendak also received the first Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2003 , an international prize for children 's literature established by the Swedish government . His books became children 's classics , but in an interview with The Atlantic last year , Sendak said he did n't set out to be known as a writer for children . `` I do n't know how to do a children 's book . I do n't even know what a children 's book is . I always know that my work is deemed suitable -- more suitable -- for children . I do n't believe that , but who cares ? Who cares ? '' he said . His characters entered worlds `` where you do n't have to pretend to be civilized , '' Sendak told The Atlantic about his book `` Bumble-Ardy . '' `` Children can distort , and play with figures and ideas , with a fluidity that strains us -- which we grow out of , '' he said . In 1980 , Sendak began designing sets and costumes for opera and ballet . According to his publisher , his productions for major houses in the United States and England included Mozart 's `` The Magic Flute , '' Tchaikovsky 's `` The Nutcracker '' and Humperdinck 's `` Hansel and Gretel . '' His last book was inspired by his love for his brother , Jack , for whom he illustrated books . `` My Brother 's Book '' will be published in February of next year .
Maurice Smith died of complications from a recent operation . He illustrated nearly 200 books during a long career . Among his most popular works is ` ` Where the Wild Things Are ''