Where the Wild Things Are

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE     

STORY AND PICTURES BY MAURICE SENDAK

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are. New York: HarperCollins.

This book is a winner of the Caldecott Medal for the "Most Distinguished Picture Book of the Year". Visual elements play a great part in this book where Sendak's muted ink illustrations complement the text.  This book is the story of a mischievous young boy named Max who has to go to bed without his supper after he talks back to his mother. Written in third person, readers jump into the world Max creates and visit the Wild Things.  This book is age appropriate for young readers ages 4-8.

My husband had the same reaction to this book the first time we read it to our son... "that's it?".  This book has a way of making you feel as if you are on the journey with Max.

"and in and out of weeks

and almost over a year

to where the wild things are."

In my opinion, Maurice Sendak's book is the epitome of what a picture book should be.  In very few words, this book transports a bedroom into a forest where the wild things are.  When the rumpus begins, Sendak is able to illustrate six consecutive pages without any words.

Throughout these pages, the reader lives in the world of Max and the funny and even sometimes frightening beasts howl at the moon, swing from the branches, and celebrate.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE teaches children about journeys, imagination, mischief, and in the end about love.  After traveling across the world and having as much fun as he wants, a little boy still chooses to come home to his mother who loves him.  The ultimate comfort food of soup and a sandwich is waiting for him, "and it was still hot".

 And yes after over 50 years..this book is still hot.