Books like Angels and Wild Things by John Cech

Angels and Wild Things examines Maurice Sendak’s unique contribution to childhood literature, focusing on the symbolic child at the heart of his works. By combining biographical, historical, cultural, and literary evidence with depth psychology and archetypal theory, John Cech traces Sendak’s artistic evolution from the early bold experiments of the 1950s to the liberating breakthroughs of the 1960s and early 1970s, culminating in the complex depth of his later books. Concentrating on the titles that Sendak both wrote and illustrated, the study reveals how his creative process intertwines personal memory, contemporary spirit, and the broader history of children’s literature, celebrating the child as a symbol of creative potential, emotional vitality, and spiritual renewal. The book demonstrates Sendak’s pivotal role in developing a fantasy literature that delves into the children’s inner emotional and imaginative worlds.

First publish date: 1995