Colbert Report: Maurice Sendak, 'Where the Wild Things Are' Author, Calls Newt Gingrich An Idiot

Maurice Sendak, author of the popular children's book-turned-film "Where the Wild Things Are," spoke with Stephen Colbert last night about his latest endeavor, "Bumble-ardy" [HarperCollins, $17.99].

To make his tongue-in-cheek point that writing kid's books is a pointless effort, Colbert joked, "Newt Gingrich said it: children don't have a work ethic," to which Sendak responded, "But Newt Gingrich is an idiot… there is something so hopelessly gross and vile about him… so let's not take him seriously."

Among the author's other dislikes: children, adults, book signings, going to the movies, and the public's fixation with "Where the Wild Things Are."

When asked why he writes for children, Sendak said "I don't write for children. I write, and somebody says, 'That's for children'… I like them as few and far between as I do adults."

But the writer is more than just a bone-picking curmudgeon: "There is something in this country that is so opposed to understanding the complexity of children," he said.