Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Where the Wild Things Are (2013), Maurice Sendak: The Memorial Exhibition is a retrospective of original works by the late, great Maurice Sendak. The artwork is presented with heartfelt words from 50 extraordinary people whose lives were touched by this beloved author and illustrator.
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Saturday, July 11, 2015 - 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
This opening day event will include a chance to meet a Wild Thing and Browser, the Library Lion; get your face painted; create Sendak-inspired art with Artists Working in Education; decorate a monster snack; get moving with Mind, Body & Soul Dancers; and laugh along with Kidsplay.
Location: Children’s Room
Wild Rumpus Sleepover at Central
Saturday, August 08, 2015 - 7:00 PM to Sunday, August 09, 2015 - 9:00 AM
A very special wild rumpus themed sleepover for 75 children and their parents. Activities include an Artists Working in Education Sendak art station, library scavenger hunt, Sendak story time, and movie. For children ages 7 and up with a parent. Registration required; registration begins June 8.
Location: Children’s Room
Event registration closed - this event is full!
Story Times
Special story times inspired by some of Maurice Sendak’s most beloved works.
Atkinson - July 16, 2015 - 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM
Bay View - July 16, 2015 - 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Capitol - July 16, 2015 - 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Center Street - July 16, 2015 - 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Central - July 14, 2015 - 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
East - July 13, 2015 - 6:30 PM to 7:00PM
Martin Luther King - July 17, 2015 - 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Mill Road - July 16, 2015 - 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM
Villard Square - July 17, 2015 - 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM
Washington Park - July 16, 2015 - 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM
Monday, July 13, 2015 - 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Make your own monster mask, then set sail for the island of the Wild Things. Join in the wild rumpus as we act out the story of Max and his monsters.
Location: Community Room
Tuesday, July 14, 2015 - 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Come join us for wild family fun with Maurice Sendak's book Where the Wild Things Are. Enjoy wild stories, wild crafts and wild treats!
Location: Community Room
Additional Program: Mill Road - Jul 15 @ 6:00pm
Monday, July 20, 2015 - 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Let the Wild Rumpus Begin!!! Bring your family and favorite stuffed animal to listen to the classic book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Create "wild things" accessories and move like a wild beast. Your stuffed animal is welcome to stay for an overnight adventure in the library.
Location: Community Room
Additional Program: Forest Home - Jul 22 @ 6:00pm
Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
This Sendak mini-movie marathon will feature movies less than 10-minutes long - perfect for little ones with short attention spans and entertaining enough for older children. Enjoy popcorn and a craft with the movie.
Location: Community Room
Saturday, July 25, 2015 - 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Learn to tame the Wild Things during a magic show sure to entertain all ages. Enjoy a morning rumpus of creative mischief, activities and treats during the celebration of the “Maurice Sendak: 50 Years; 50 Works; 50 Reasons” exhibit at Central Library. Registration required; call 286-3011 or register online.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library.
Location: Children's Herzfeld Activity Center
Saturday, July 11, 2015 - All Day
Please join us in supporting children and the Milwaukee Public Library from the comfort of home, or anywhere you are, on July 11th with our Read a Book Ball. Proceeds will benefit your Milwaukee Public Library and empower readers of all ages. Contributions are tax-deductible.
Your generous support of the library matters. Join the celebration on Milwaukee Public Library social media! Be sure to add photo description #readabookball
Location: Anywhere
Dates and times:
July 15 11am-2pm
July 22 3-6pm
August 19 6-9pm (at the Night Market)
Have you ever run away – from home, from work, or from someone? Have you ever felt the need to go wild? Catch Ex Fabula and Milwaukee Public Library at
#TheSpot4MKE on 5th and Wisconsin and share your story! We’ll be collecting UltraShorts – short personal stories written on slips of paper – inspired by
Maurice Sendak: The Memorial Exhibition and Where the Wild Things Are. Swing by to share a tale, read submissions from your fellow Milwaukeeans, and
join the celebration/Wild Rumpus. You can also find out about programming – some for families, some for adults – that accompanies the exhibit.
Saturday, August 15, 2015 - 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Watch Spike Jonze's 2009 film adaptation of Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are followed by a panel discussion with local film critics.
Location: Koeppen-Gerlach Auditorium
Rumpus Retail Room at Central
Sendak souvenirs such as books, T-shirts, totes and onesies will be available for purchase throughout the exhibition.
Location: Central Library
Monday 12-5 PM
Tuesday - Friday 10 AM - 5 PM
Saturday 10A M - 4 PM
The Milwaukee Public Library is grateful for the many private sponsors who help to bring special programs like the Sendak exhibition to the citizens of Milwaukee. Without financial support from these generous donors through the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation, the library would not be able to provide the depth and variety of free programs to children and families across the city.
Presenting Sponsor:
Celebrate Sendak Crafts for Children Sponsors
The exhibition is organized by Opar, Inc. Exhibition Production with special thanks to the lenders of the exhibition and to the AFA Gallery in New York City for their support.
© Maurice Sendak: All Rights Reserved
