Rick LaFleur, Franklin Professor of Classics Emeritus, has published the first-ever translation of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book Where the Wild Things Are into classical Latin. LaFleur’s translation, Ubi Fera Sunt, was published by Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers Inc. LaFleur will hold a book signing Dec. 16 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Avid Bookshop, 493 Prince Ave.
The translation faithfully recasts Sendak’s writing into classical Latin. It includes the remastered images employed in the 50th anniversary edition.
First published in 1963, Where the Wild Things Are has sold more than 20 million copies to date and inspired the creation of children’s toys, dolls, puppets, board and video games, a 1980s children’s opera co-scripted by Sendak as well as other musical compositions and the much-praised 2009 feature film adaptation, directed by Spike Jonze. The book has earned countless recognitions, including the 1964 Randolph Caldecott Medal for “the most distinguished American picture book for children.”
It has been translated into numerous other languages, but never until now into classical Latin.
