R.I.P. Maurice Sendak, author of ‘Where The Wild Things Are’

One of the most renowned children’s storybook tellers of our time has died. Maurice Sendak, author of one of the most famous children’s books, “Where The Wild Things Are,” died of a stroke Tuesday, according to Michael di Capua, his longtime editor. He was 83.

President Barack Obama, who read excerpts from Sendak’s ‘Wild Things’ to children during the White House Easter egg roll in April, said the book was “one of my favorite classic books of all time.”

Obama also read from the book during the 2009 Easter egg roll at the White House.

“It is a great book,” Obama told the children gathered around him and first lady Michelle Obama on the South lawn.

“Let the wild rumpus start,” the president read, adding “Arghhh, who can do a wild rumpus? Come on, I want everyone to do the wild rumpus. It’s the wild rumpus.”