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The world is a little less now wild as Maurice Sendak, the author of 'Where the Wild Things Are,' has died aged 83.

He wrote some 17 books and was a prolific illustrator, but was best-known for his 1963 tale of Max, who became the "king of all wild things". He lived to see Spike Jonze make the live action adaption of the film in 2009. There have also been several other adaptations including an animated short in 1973 and an opera in 1980.

Born in 1928 and raised in Brooklyn by Jewish-Polish immigrant parents, Sendak said his own life had been clouded by the Holocaust and that the events of World War II were the root of his raw and honest artistic style. His childhood dream to be an illustrator was realised in 1951 when he was commissioned to do the art for Wonderful Farm by Marcel Ayme and by 1957 he was writing his own books.

The children's book creator inspired filmmakers and actors through his honesty and imagination.

By Fallon Prinzivalli, with reporting by Ryan J. Downey

Maurice Sendak and Spike Jonze

Photo: Theo Wargo/ Getty Images

Children's book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak died Tuesday (May 8) as a result of complications from a stroke. He's best-known for revolutionizing the children's book genre with the surprising success of "Where the Wild Things Are." Far from popular children's fare like "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" or "Green Eggs and Ham," the dark fantasy focused on Max, a rowdy boy in a wolf suit, and his adventures with the hairy beasts of his imagination.

Sendak spread his influence from children's books to the big screen when filmmaker Spike Jonze took on the ambitious project of turning "Wild Things" into a motion picture. Previously described as "unfilmable," Jonze was sure to stay true to Sendak's vision and yet bring...

The children's book creator inspired filmmakers and actors through his honesty and imagination.

By Fallon Prinzivalli, with reporting by Ryan J. Downey

Maurice Sendak and Spike Jonze

Photo: Theo Wargo/ Getty Images

Children's book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak died Tuesday (May 8) as a result of complications from a stroke. He's best-known for revolutionizing the children's book genre with the surprising success of "Where the Wild Things Are." Far from popular children's fare like "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" or "Green Eggs and Ham," the dark fantasy focused on Max, a rowdy boy in a wolf suit, and his adventures with the hairy beasts of his imagination.

Sendak spread his influence from children's books to the big screen when filmmaker Spike Jonze took on the ambitious project of turning "Wild Things" into a motion picture. Previously described as "unfilmable," Jonze was sure to stay true to Sendak's vision and yet bring...

Maurice Sendak, author of Where The Wild Things Are, died today after suffering a stroke Friday. He was 83. Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are was awarded a Caldecott Medal for best children’s book of 1964, and President Clinton awarded him the National Medal of the Arts in 1996. As well as his work as a writer and illustrator, Sendak was a television producer of series based on his work, such as Seven Little Monsters, George And Martha and Little Bear. Spike Jonze made Where The Wild Things Are into a feature film in 2009; Sendak was a producer on the film. The author was also the subject of the documentary Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait Of Maurice Sendak, directed by Jonze and Lance Bangs. (Photo: Getty Images)...

Maurice Sendak is dead, according to The New York Times. He was 83.

The Associated Press reported that Sendak died early Tuesday at a hospital in Danbury, Connecticut after having a stroke on Friday. His longtime caretaker and friend, Lynn Caponera, was with him.

The popular children's book author wrote "Where The Wild Things Are" in 1963. He won a Caldecott Medal for the book in 1964, and was adapted into a movie in 2009.

According to The New York Times, a posthumous picture book, "My Brother's Book," is scheduled to be published in February 2013.

Here's more from the Associated Press:

Sendak didn't limit his career to a safe and successful formula of conventional children's books, though it was the pictures he did for wholesome works such as Ruth Krauss' "A Hole Is To Dig" and Else Holmelund Minarik's "Little Bear" that launched his career.

"Where the Wild Things Are," about a boy...

'[He] delighted in scaring the kids on the block — and they loved him for it," Hanks says of author in a statement to MTV News.

By Fallon Prinzivalli

Tom Hanks and Maurice Sendak

Photo: Getty Images

With the announcement that "Where the Wild Things Are" author and illustrator Maurice Sendak died Tuesday (May 8) at the age of 83, filmmakers and authors have been mourning the passing of a brilliant mind. From Elijah Wood to "Looking for Alaska" author John Green, the influence Sendak leaves behind in the hearts of many is indisputable.

In a statement to MTV News, actor Tom Hanks — who co-produced the film adaptation of Sendak's popular children's book — said, "Maurice Sendak was the fabulously cranky old man, the maker of the Wild Rumpus, who delighted in scaring the kids on the block — and they loved him for it. I think a late supper is awaiting him and it is still hot.

'[He] delighted in scaring the kids on the block — and they loved him for it," Hanks says of author in a statement to MTV News.

By Fallon Prinzivalli

Tom Hanks and Maurice Sendak

Photo: Getty Images

With the announcement that "Where the Wild Things Are" author and illustrator Maurice Sendak died Tuesday (May 8) at the age of 83, filmmakers and authors have been mourning the passing of a brilliant mind. From Elijah Wood to "Looking for Alaska" author John Green, the influence Sendak leaves behind in the hearts of many is indisputable.

In a statement to MTV News, actor Tom Hanks — who co-produced the film adaptation of Sendak's popular children's book — said, "Maurice Sendak was the fabulously cranky old man, the maker of the Wild Rumpus, who delighted in scaring the kids on the block — and they loved him for it. I think a late supper is awaiting him and it is still hot.