NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - American writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak, who is best known for his classic children's books including "Where the Wild Things Are," has died.

Sendak died in Connecticut from complications from a recent stroke.

During his career, he illustrated more than 50 books and won a number of prizes for his drawings, including Sweden's Hans Christian Anderson Award in 1970.

His "Where the Wild Things Are" was transformed into a major motion picture in 2009, directed by Spike Jonze.

Sendak was 83.

Bob Mezan, Reuters.