In the forty years since Max first cried “Let the wild rumpus start,” Maurice Sendak’s classic picture book has become one of the most highly acclaimed and best-loved children’s books of all time. Now, in celebration of this special anniversary, introduce a new generation to Max’s imaginative journey to Where the Wild Things Are.
Where the Wild Things Are written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak in 1963 was a Caldecott Medal winner the year after it was published. I treasured this book in elementary school when I played the lead in our school play (okay, co-lead with another kid so we didn’t have to work too hard). I wrote a review a few years ago from memory, then explored it during my college years when I studied children’s literature and language. Now, in August 2018, I’m hosting a Children’s Book Readathon on my blog. Come check it out!
I read the book twice this week. Once to absorb it as a fresh set of eyes, then again to see what I liked and didn’t like. On the whole, I still love it. I also see how it could encourage a few bad behaviors, but then again, so can movies, overhearing conversations, and music. Books are about learning. It’s important to read them with a child at the appropriate age and use it was a way to teach what’s wrong and right. For those reasons, I highly recommend sharing this with kids from 6 to 8. Younger might understand it. Older might find it amusing. But that’s the sweet spot in my opinion.
Max doesn’t like being told what to do. He just runs around a lot. I have a 5-month-old puppy named Baxter who’s just like Max. I get frustrated, but I love him. I’ve put him in time-out. Max was sent to bed without supper. I can only imagine where Baxter goes in his imagination… if it’s anything like where Max goes, we’re in for trouble!
So glad to re-read this one!
I would be hard pressed to find a more iconic children’s storybook. Ironically, despite the fact that I have been exposed to it in libraries and classrooms from elementary school through college, I was an adult the first time I read it. The story is, of course, adorable. It is one I identify with more as a parent than a child though. I see my little monster (well, not so little anymore) in its pages. The story of a young boy being rambunctious who is sent to his room only to imagine a world where he can sail away to find new friends and be as wild as he likes is so endemic to childhood. It was, however, the artwork that made this book for me and the fiftieth edition of this book with its lovely remastered art is simply mind-blowing. It makes me wish I could be a child again just so I could stare at the drawings for the first time with that wonder of innocence and pick out the delightfully intricate details of the beautiful creatures that inhabit the world of this book. There are many modern picture books that I believe are destined to be classics, however, Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are has aged gracefully and would not be out of place sharing a shelf with any of them, in any child’s library.
I bought a classic book for the family. I did not read it while growing up. However, I have heard of it. It’s called “Where Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak. I knew about this book and heard of it. Why I never read it is beyond me. I have not read it and reviewed it now.
It is adventurous and playful. Max travels to a faraway place that has Wild Things. I wonder if this book plot is imagination or something that lets the little boy discover what it is like to be lonely after a while. Also, learn that loved ones still care even if you have to wait. The food will still be hot when you return.
I am not sure. However, the pictures are well done. I do enjoy the images. I do not get the plot of this story; that might be me; it is a cute book nonetheless. Will Max have fun with the wild things, or will he return home to his bedroom?
Some children will enjoy these books, and parents will want to read and reread this classic book for their children. You may like this for your child’s bookshelves as well. The images are superb and colorful, that is for sure.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak – I love this one so very much that I bought it for my newest niece along with her own little wild thing outfit! Happy Reading!
This was my favorite book growing up, now my son has his own copy and he also loves it!
I think I like this better than my grandkids do. It is another classic that has great lessons for adults.
This was my son’s favorite book as a preschooler, and it now one of my granddaughter’s as well. A classic.
Great night reader to put the kids to sleep.
A family favorite.
That’s my first favorite.
As a teacher, and as a parent and grandparent, I’ve read this story many, many times…a wonderful fun-to-share classic, for sure!
It’s a funny book about imagination, how can could that get.
This is the sixth time I’ve tried to write this review.
Five times, I’ve deleted it and walked away. Finally, I’ve realized why.
I don’t want to admit the reason that I like this book.
Sure, it’s well written, it’s engagingly illustrated, it’s won lots of awards, blah, blah, blah. But that’s not the reason.
Max has quite an imagination, like we all did when we were kids. The things Max imagines are dark, but more than that, they’re unsettling in a way that’s difficult to explain.
We like things that are a little bent. That’s why we like Halloween, and why some of us watch horror movies. But the way THIS book is bent… it’s disquieting.
It’s unearthly and unfamiliar.
…And yet it’s not…
Do you know the feeling of being watched? There’s no logical reason why you should be able to feel when somebody is watching you, but you can. And it’s eerie.
This book is like that.
It’s strange and unnerving.
Yet there’s something… a small, quiet something that’s uncomfortably familiar.
Human beings are tiny, and basically lost in the cosmos. We don’t like being reminded of that, so we created our appliances and our entertainment to tell us how important we are. And so we became adults.
When we were children, we were forced to accept the universe for what it is: vast and unknowable. So we understood Where the Wild Things Are. We felt it keenly. Now that feeling is buried far off, like a dream of a dream.
I’m probably going to regret publishing this review, so maybe I’ll just push the button now, before I have time to think about it.
After all, that’s what adults do best, isn’t it?
One of my favorite stories from my childhood. A great and easy read.
One of our favorite children’s books. My boys asked for it time and again at bedtime storytime.
A joy of a book, and one for readers of all ages. If you don’t care for the story, and you should, read it for the art … and for Mozart.
everyone should know this book
Classic
My most favorite easy reader. I get this for every parent.
Did you really have a childhood if you didn’t read this?