Did you spot the three Maurice Sendak books in Google's doodle?

Did you spot the three Maurice Sendak books in Google's doodle?

Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on stumbleupon Share on email Monday's Google Doodle pays tribute to Maurice Sendak, the children’s book author and illustrator who revolutionized the genre by portraying both fairytales and nightmares. For Sendak, dealing with both good and evil was a way to make his two dimensional illustrations portray the emotions of the real world. “Children do live in fantasy and reality; they move back and forth very easily in a way we no longer remember how to do,” Sendak said in an interview with Virginia Haviland in 1972. Mr. Sendak, who died in May last year, would have been 85 on Monday. RECOMMENDED: Maurice Sendak: 13 quotes on his birthday The animated Google doodle plays out like a pinwheel sequence. It spins through three of Sendak’s most notable works: "Where the Wild Things Are," "In the Night Kitchen," and "Bumble-Ardy." The doodle starts with young Max, in a costume with whiskers, a tail, and crown, bounding from his bedroom to "Where the Wild Things Are," an imagined world of beasts that pursue Max with a loving ferocity. In later interviews, Sandek unabashedly described the Wild Things from his first book as caricatures of his relatives, which used to surround the author as a young boy in Brooklyn. As Max sails away from the land of the Wild Things, the pinwheel spins to the world of Mickey from "In the Night Kitchen." In a few seconds, Mickey, flies his airplane, made from bread-dough, into a milk jug to escape a troupe of chefs who want to cook him. The chef’s facial hair was intentionally reminiscent of Hitler’s rectangular mustache, recalling the looming threat of Nazi Germany. As a young boy, Sendak pieced together what happened to many of his European Jewish relatives, who, unlike Mickey, were not able to outrun their pursuers. Then the chefs toddle into a more joyous scene of birthday celebrations for Bumble-Ardy, a nine-year-old pig that has never celebrated his birthday. The sequence ends with a German Sheppard -- a tribute to Sendak’s beloved dog, Herman -- herding the collective of characters to an animated celebration for the man who dreamed them up.



news sours   www.csmonitor.com

Official: Daft Punk's 'Random' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 With 339,000

Official: Daft Punk's 'Random' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 With 339,000

It's official: Daft Punk's new album "Random Access Memories" debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 339,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. "Random Access Memories," released on May 21, gives the veteran electronic/dance duo its best sales week ever and first No. 1. The set also notches the second-largest sales week of the year overall. Only the debut of Justin Timberlake's "The 20/20 Experience" logged a larger frame so far in 2013, when it began with 968,000 in March. The full top 10 of the new Billboard 200 will be revealed on Wednesday, May 29. With 339,000 sold, "Random Access Memories" also starts with a more robust sales figure than expected. Industry forecasters had projected a first-week launch of around 300,000 -- with a chance at hitting 325,000 if the set performed strongly through its first week. "Random Access Memories" is the act's fourth studio effort and second top 10 set on the Billboard 200. They had previously gone as high as No. 4 with its soundtrack to "TRON: Legacy" in January of 2011. Their highest-charting studio album had been 2001's "Discovery," which peaked at No. 44. Daft Punk's last studio set, 2005's "Human After All," debuted and peaked at No. 98. Notably, in one week, "Random Access Memories" has sold more than twice what the total sales are for "Human After All." The latter has sold just 125,000 to date. Comparably, Daft Punk's best selling album is "Discovery," with 796,000. Further, "Random Access Memories" is the first dance/electronic album to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in more than a year. The last dance/electronic No. 1 was Madonna's "MDNA" -- it debuted atop the April 14, 2012 chart. "Random Access Memories" is led by the single "Get Lucky," featuring Pharrell Williams. The song earned Daft Punk its first top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, so far peaking at No. 10 last week. The song is also the duo's biggest airplay hit ever, as it climbed 46-29 on the Radio Songs chart last week.


news sours    www.billboard.com

Is Beyonce pregnant? Probably not, but soon she’d like to be

Is Beyonce pregnant? Probably not, but soon she’d like to be

B eyonce may be regretting her candor when she chatted about her hopes of having another baby to join daughter Blue Ivy, 16 months. It was the superstar’s comments on “Good Morning America” last week that unleashed a torrent of stories hinting that Beyonce may already be expecting. “I would like more children. I think my daughter needs company. I definitely love being a big sister [to Solange Knowles], ” Beyonce told “GMA.” Ads by Google BeyoncéFull service flats in Antwerp with private bathroom & kitchen www.be-housing.be That plus her appearance at the big Metropolitan Museum Costume Ball in New York in a high-waisted Givenchy gown fueled various “Beyonce baby” tales. While the entertainer’s camp is not speaking officially, two sources close to Beyonce told me Monday they sincerely doubt she’s pregnant — yet. “She’s made it pretty clear she needs to get through her big world tour, which ends in August,” said one friend. A second Beyonce insider added, “There’s no way she would want to risk having morning sickness — or risk losing a baby — while she’s doing her shows. … Just think of all the dancing she has to do!” † However, another R&B star has confirmed she is pregnant. Monica is now expecting her third child, her first with husband Shannon Brown of the Phoenix Suns. Monica tweeted to BFF Niecy Nash that she’s “five months & counting.” LACKING TWEET SMARTS: In the wake of Miley Cyrus tweeting complaints Sunday — dissing fans of Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift for constantly attacking her on Twitter, Facebook and other social media — the singer is being laughed at by Gomez and Taylor. Sources close to both singers used the word “silly” to describe how Gomez and Taylor reacted to Cyrus’ tweets. “Miley’s been around long enough to know you just ignore that kind of negativity,” said a Taylor insider Monday. † Speaking of Gomez, the 20-year-old star turned to Twitter to celebrate the fact her mom, Mandy Cornett, is pregnant and expecting a baby girl. Less happy was Gomez’s confirmation Friday that she and on-again-off-again boyfriend Justin Bieber are indeed splitsville — yet again. JUDGE THIS: According to those close to Simon Cowell, the TV mogul has zeroed in on a somewhat eclectic “wish list” group of potential new judges for “The X Factor” this fall. Apparently Faith Hill tops the list, which also reportedly includes Hilary Duff, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kelly Rowland and Latin singer and actress Paulina Rubio — joining already re-signed judge Demi Lovato and host Mario Lopez. LOOKING FOR LAUGHS: Fans of Carol Leifer — certainly a trailblazer in the world of female comics — will want to know a few tickets remain for the comedian’s “Judaism Is in My DNA” show at North Shore Congregation Israel, scheduled for Sunday night. Leifer’s resume includes writing and producing stints on “Saturday Night Live,” “Seinfeld,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” and “Modern Family” — plus being head writer for the 2012 Oscars show, hosted by Billy Crystal. Ads by Google Beyoncé Full service flats in Antwerp with private bathroom & kitchen www.be-housing.be De Luz Luxury Homes Land, avocado orchards & ranches Area specialists in country estates www.bigavocado.com Dating indian girl online Free register. Start chatting, dating and being a couple lovetime.com For ticket information go to www.nsci.org or call (847) 835-0724. PRESIDENT IN PERIL: Samuel L. Jackson will soon add U.S. president to the veteran actor’s long list of roles. Jackson will star in “Big Game,” which deadline.com describes as a film about a teenager sent into the wilderness to test his survival skills — just as terrorists shoot down Air Force One. The president’s escape pod lands near the youth, and together they form an unlikely team in order to survive. ASIAN ACTION: Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is sponsoring a reception at noon Tuesday on the concourse level of the James R. Thompson Center — celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and recognizing the contributions of community activists, leaders and humanitarians. Hosted by WGN-TV’s Nancy Loo, the event will feature keynote speaker Zhao Weiping, the Chinese consul-general, plus performances by the St. Therese Chinese Catholic School, and the Flying Fairies and Transfiguration dance troupes. MOMS’ MOMENT: There was a lovely surprise for the Tenors at the singing stars’ Sunday concert at the Auditorium Theatre. Unbeknownst to Remigo Pereira, Fraser Walters, Clifton Murray and Victor Micallef — their moms Joana Pereira, Lynn Walters, Deborah Murray and Margaret Micallef showed up to surprise them! It was a very nice Mother’s Day gift for both the moms and their boys, who have performed around the globe with such superstars as Celine Dion, Paul McCartney and Sting. TAKE A BOW: Noted artist Thomas Blackshear, a 1977 graduate of Our Town’s American Academy of Art, was honored by his alma mater with the school’s 2013 Distinguished Alumnus Award. Blackshear, whose artwork has included paintings, collectible plates and U.S. postage designs, is perhaps most recognized for developing the first best-selling line of figurines for the African-American market — Ebony Visions. SEEN ON THE SCENE: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the keynote speaker at the special dinner held at Spiaggia Private Events marking DePaul University’s centennial celebration for its law, business and music schools. … WGN-AM’s “Mr. Fix-It” — Lou Manfredini — broadcast his show live Saturday from the Weber Grill in Schaumburg, shortly after Dave Coulier (“Full House”) lunched at the eatery while in town for his gig at Chicago Improv at Woodfield Mall. … Here promoting her new “Read My Lips” memoir, Oscar nominee Sally Kellerman dined at La Scarola with Chicago pals Carol Yonover and Marty Gepsman. … Hub 51 was the eatery of choice for the Hawks’ Viktor Stalburg and (separately) L.A. Angels pitcher Michael Kohn. ... Miami Heat team president Pat Riley was spied lunching at Bar Toma with his wife.


news sours    www.suntimes.com