Davie wants a little black rabbit, and he wants one badly. Fortunately, his grandfather has promised him one. While waiting for it to arrive, he wonders what he should name it. Satan? Too sinister. Shoe Polish? Too sticky. Night? No good. Lily of the Valley? Too white. Finally, he decides to name his future rabbit Shadrach after one of the three young men in the Bible that “old Nebuchadnezzar in the old testament had tossed into the fiery furnace.” Any child who has ever cried with happiness to have a pet fell in love with Meindert Dejong 1980 book, illustrated by Maurice Sendak.
Maurice Sendak, 1928-2012: His Legacy in Books
The beloved children’s book artist died on May 8 at age 83. TIME looks back at the books he wrote and illustrated.
Shadrach
Full List
Maurice Sendak Illustrations