by Amy Crocker

You've re-read the picture book, you’ve watched the emotional yet un-revealing trailer, you’ve fashioned a crown out of tin foil and construction paper for the Oct. 16 opening, but have you ever discussed Where the Wild Things Are in its academic context as an example of modern children’s literature? Or, for that matter, considered author Maurice Sendak's losses in the Holocaust as an influence in his stories? If not, don’t miss your chance this Thursday!

In conjunction with the exhibit "There's a Mystery There: Sendak on Sendak" at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, Professor Seth Lerer, will discuss the power of Sendak’s work and other children’s books. Lerer is the 2008 winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for criticism for his book Children's Literature: A Reader's History. The discussion will run from 7 to 8:30 and is free with admission to the museum, which is $5 after 5p.m. on Thursday.

The Sendak exhibit, which features original watercolors and preliminary sketches as well as exclusive interviews with the author, runs through January 19, 2010 at the Contemporary Jewish Museum on 736 Mission Street (between Third and Fourth streets).