Why Is In The Night Kitchen Banned

Lauren Farrell
Prof. Senquiz
ENG 114
03 March 2023
Banned Children’s Literature: In The Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak “I had a brother who was my savior, made my childhood bearable… He drew me away from the lack of comprehension that existed between me and my parents. And he took his time with me to draw pictures and to read stories and live a kind of fantastical life” (Sendak).
Children’s literature can function as a tool for understanding the complexities of the world around us. Yet, as author Maurice Sendak expresses in the quote above, children’s literature can also serve as a mental escape from any hardships we may be experiencing during a tumultuous developmental period; Sendak’s In The Night Kitchen is a prime example of this.

Adams and Rabkin explain, “His body language as he says ‘‘AAH’’ is very relaxed, indicating, as the rest of the narrative makes clear, that in the fantasy to come, he won’t need the ‘‘real world’’ protection of clothing” (Adams & Rabkin, 4). When considering Mickey’s neutral reaction to being nude, one could argue that Sendak was attempting to promote body neutrality among youth. In The Night Kitchen is a story that allows children to identify with Mickey as he overcomes his conflicts through his imaginative experience. Perhaps this story could be perceived not as the sexualization of a child’s body, but rather as a journey that the majority of children experience: claiming control of their body and finding comfortability in their own skin. This message extends beyond the physical and encourages children to accept various contributors to their

He is recognized as the most honored children’s book artist in history. Among his many honors, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Bill Clinton in 1996 (The Maurice Sendak Foundation). Therefore, despite the controversy surrounding his work, Sendak post-humously remains an important figure that redefined children’s literature during his lifetime. In The Night Kitchen is a whimsical, dream-like story that amuses children and captivates them visually, whilst also highlighting the empowerment and resilience of the main character, Mickey. Many librarians and educators have attempted to censor Mickey’s nudity by drawing pants over Sendak’s illustrations. While it is okay for parents to make decisions about the content they allow their children to consume, it is not okay for this book, or any book, to be censored in a public space. As free-thinking individuals, we should be allowed the opportunity to consume content in its original form, and to think critically for ourselves. If we are robbed of that opportunity, we are robbed of our own intellectual freedom and