My Brother's Book

Although this book was written not only for Sendak's brother, but also his long-time lover/partner, it is as a brother that I wish to comment. My older brother -- my only living sibling -- is locked in the cruel arms of Parkinson's Disease, like Jack in this book, he is "a snow image stuck fast in water like stone." For me, it was nearly impossible to read this beautiful book without thinking of the bond that exists between brothers -- he is the only person still living who has known me all my life and visa versa. The images in this book of the two brothers thrown apart by life with separate paths, yet uniting in the end embracing one another are so authentic.I'm not sure that this is a book that young children will warm to, although the theme of final resolution, enduring love, and safety even with adversity are comforting. But I am sure that this book will become a classic within many families as brothers age and ancient bonds assume new power. This is a book to share with your brother, then to buy another copy to read and re-read yourself.

Maurice Sendak is a towering figure in creative arts. Since first enjoying "Where the Wild Things Are" and "In the Night Kitchen" with my children, I have read and enjoyed Maurice Sendak's work in such diverse books as "Dear Mili", "The Miami Giant", and "Swine Lake". One of my most recent acquisitions was "Mummy" the pop-up book. "My Brother's Book" is a more serious book but all of Sendak's works have some weighty topics inserted into the seemingly simple stories. We heard him speak at Keene State College one very snowy evening. He approached it in a easy manner by turning the "talk" into a period when he answered questions from the audience. He also signed some books. My sons hadn't been able to find "Wild Things" or "Night Kitchen" - we had just moved to the area. We did have the Rolling Stone magazine copy with "wild Things" on the cover and he signed that for my sons. Not only a great artist, a great person.

This small book was pushed after Maurice Sendak's death. It is a fitting honor to a great artist and a great thinker. The watercolor drawings are gorgeous to look at and provocative. Buyers should know, however, that this is not a children's book. It is a serious look at a serious painter and his influences, including Shakespeare and William Blake. This is the sort of book that makes one realize that there are joys in books that cannot be replicated by electronic readers. This is a book to hold and love.

The preview led me to expect a more spectacular book than this turned out to be. My Brother's Book is a beautiful small book which sits in one's hand comfortably and it will have particular appeal to those who appreciate William Blake's poetic and artistic style. It is an intensely private and personal testament which makes it rather obscure reading and thus a tad unsatisfying in total. However, I recognize it as a classic work and a sensitive insight into the great writer that is Maurice Sendak.

Sad - Sendak's last book - beautiful - and sad. He is mourning the long ago loss of his brother and the recent loss of his dearly beloved long time partner. And I am mourning the loss of a genius with a brilliant imagination, a gifted pen - both for writing and for drawing - a big and loving heart. When he died I felt as if I had lost a friend, even though I never met him nor corresponded with him.

I am not sure what small children will make of it. I gave it to my son and daughter-in-law as an "adult" book. I do not know if they have read it to their children (2 and 4). The illustrations are magnificent; the sparse, elegant narrative is poetic and potentially troubling for small children. I use my copy as a "coffee table" book and re-read it on occasion.

To bad he is gone he wrote to most of us. I never new he wrote so many childrens books.I really enjoyed it. I read it twice to understand it.(That's not a bad thing, you have to think.)

A precious gift for yourself or someone else. A gem filled with lovely Sendak images that make you want to just sit and hold it. As an artist I find his paintings inspiring. As a human being, I find his words inspiring, even though some of them make absolutely no sense to me... the emotion behind them does.

This is a mysterious and beautiful book. The illustrations are sumptuous and repay lengthy study. The words seem simple but reach the heart, leaving a deep impression.

Sadly this is last book from the wonderful Maurice Sendak. His illustrations are still the most beautiful creations. A first edition that I will keep and treasure for my grandchildren.

Lovely book, great illustrations. A little gem.

Interesting uses of language and beautiful illustrations.

THIS IS A REALLY TRUE WORK OF ART AND BEAUTIFULLY REPRODUCED AT A VERY MODEST PRICE.EXCELLENT FOR THE YOUNG AND OLD READER