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Arts & Entertainment

Watch Newly-Released Outtakes From Stephen Colbert's Maurice Sendak Interview


By

Carrie Dennis

Published May 10, 2012

Modified May 10, 2012


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By

Carrie Dennis

Published May 10, 2012

Modified May 10, 2012


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To honor the recent passing of writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak, Stephen Colbert revisited a past interview with the beloved children's book author and announced the official release of his own new children's story, I Am A Pole (And So Can You!). The cover of which features a quote from Sendak himself that says, "The sad thing is, I like it!"

Sendak tells Colbert that one of his favorites of his own books is Higglety Pigglety Pop! or There Must Be More to Life, a story written in tribute to his own pet Sealyham terrier Jennie, who appeared in all his books until her death. It tells the tale of a discontent little dog who leaves her owner to find out if there is more to life. Throughout her journey she must learn to accept her own shortcomings and inadequacy, and does not return home before she dies. But she leaves her master a note that says, "If you ever come this way, look me up. But I can't tell you how to get there."

The outtakes simultaneously show the author's humor and wisdom as he muses about the pain that often accompanies childhood but the necessity to address the hardship of the time. "The best thing a parent can do for a child is love them and take them for who they are," Sendak tells Colbert. Which is perhaps what made the author so special; he took his readers for who they are. And as Colbert points out, for those who don't actually read, the books still have lots of pictures.

Tagged

maurice sendak

stephen colbert

the colbert report


Carrie Dennis

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