Maurice Sendak
We asked our literary and media pals for their favourite Sendak book or memory
Andrew Pyper, author of The Guardians
Maurice Sendak wasn’t afraid to frighten. Of all the well-meaning lies we tell our kids, “There’s nothing to be afraid of” is probably the most misleading. We may have to learn about the shape of love and joy and forgiveness, but we’re born knowing fear. Sendak reminded us of how natural this is.
Damian Abraham, lead singer of Fucked Up
Obviously like just about every North American child born since Where The Wild Things Are first came out, I have tons of childhood memories surrounding that book. But it is the absolutely stunning pop-up picture book Mommy? that my son has chosen to take as one of his bedtime favourites. The playfully frighting illustrations leaping off the page makes him laugh every reading. Precious few artists or writers will ever be able to lay claim to being something parents look forward to sharing with their children. Read more...
Blog
Or is it still just about spending time with mom and appreciating all she does?
Mother’s Day as we know it was founded by Anna Jarvis in 1908, but even she felt that it quickly deteriorated into something lacking real sentiment. “A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world” she said. So, 103 years later, does Mother’s Day mean anything to the people it’s meant to celebrate?We asked some moms what they thought:
Bad Mother author Ayelet Waldman said, “I think Mother’s Day is a marvelous holiday. Personally, I like to loll about in bed with the newspaper and a cup of tea. My only reservation about it is that being too spoiled on Mother’s Day does up the ante for Father’s Day, a holiday I find pointless in the extreme.” Read more...
Passover
We wanted to speak to some famous Jews about Passover. Writer and Bad Mother Ayelet Waldman reluctantly agreed.
So, in our pre-interview discussion, you warned me that you hate Passover. Why is that?
Because I am Jewish and thus do constant battle with my bowels. The LAST thing I need is to spend 8 days ingesting cement. Plus that dinner is too damn long.
What does your family do for Passover?
We clean the Chametz out of the house, we drive ourselves insane eating nothing but cardboard ground up and reconstituted to resemble bread, cookies, cake etc., and we have a seder at which we beat one another about the head and shoulders with scallions.
What are some parts of Passover that you sort of like/are able to stand? Read more...
