Bumble-Ardy

Synopsis

Since the publication of his classicOutside Over Therein 1981, Maurice Sendak's book illustrations have focused on interpreting the texts of such authors as James Marshall, Tony Kushner, Wilhelm Grimm, Ruth Krauss, Herman Melville, and Mother Goose. And beginning in 1980, with his sets and costumes forThe Magic Flute, Sendak launched a busy second career as the designer of stage productions of opera and ballet. Now comesBumble-Ardy, the first book he has written as well as illustrated in thirty years. Bumble-Ardyhas evolved from an animated segment forSesame Streetto a glorious picture book about a mischievous pig who reaches the age of nine without ever having a birthday party. But all that changes when Bumble-Ardy throws a party for himself and invites all his friends, leading to a wild masquerade that quickly gets out of hand. In this highly anticipated picture book, Sendak once again explores the exuberance of young children and the unshakable love between parent (in this case, an aunt) and child.