Writing about the death of Maurice Sendak, the New York Times reported that My Brother’s Book will be posthumously published next February: “a poem written and illustrated by Mr. Sendak and inspired by his love for his late brother, Jack.”
The brothers forged an early partnership as writers. Jack Sendak died in 1995 and published six kid’s books (including Circus Girl and The Happy Rain with illustrations by Maurice). His HarperCollins biography explored their relationship:
Jack Sendak was born in 1924 in Brooklyn, New York. He began writing at a very early age, working with his brother, Maurice, writing and illustrating their own story books. Sendak often credited his father for his love of books, citing inspiration from nightly bedtime reading. Reviewers have called Jack Sendak’s books humorous, magical, and mysterious. Having served in the US Army during World War II, Jack Sendak went on to work for Emerson Radio and Television, as well as the US Postal Service.