Children's Book: Where The Wild Things Are

Ranked #896 in Books, Poetry & Writing, #37,991 overall

My Review of Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Where The Wild Things Are was written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak in 1963, and reissued in 1991. It's the story of Max, a mischievous, little boy who wonders off on an imaginative adventure. The boy's adventures began after his mother sends him to his room for his misbehavior. He enjoys the ferocious monsters, who crown him the king of monsters. When the boy bores, he realizes he misses the comforts and love of home.

The illustrations are big, bold, adventurous, and endearing. The Wild Things are not overly ferocious looking, but still provide the wild feeling of adventure and the unknown.

There was controversy with this book (and others by Sendak). When it was first issued, the book received criticism from parents who did not think a mischievous boy should be the main character or role model.

My son loved this book when he was little. We still have the book, though he's now a teen. It's a classic with generations of kids loving the story. I remember reading it to my son when he was in first grade. It's a short book, with illustrations making the greatest impact of the story. My son enjoyed the adventure involved in the story. It told of a place where parents didn't exist, and a kid could be a king. Those elements resound strongly for children.

I did remind my son about the positive aspects and lessons, such as when Max missed home and his parents, and that his mom had left him dinner (though she threatened him to go without dinner earlier in the book). I added Max should've apologized for not listening to her earlier. Along with the lessons, I thought the sense of imagination and entertaining oneself were important to convey to kids.

Topics in this lens: lesson plans for Where The Wild Things Are (K-12 in multiple topics, like literature, math, science, art, and music); how to make your own Max costume, where to find adult costumes, unique collectibles, other books by Maurice Sendak, videos narrating one of his books and an interview with Sendak. Enjoy!!

Photo, Where The Wild Things Are, Allposters.com

Where The Wild Things Are Book

Where the Wild Things Are

Amazon Price: $10.00 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

A classic children's tale that embraces the creativity and imagination of kids.

The best line ever:

Let the wild rumpus start!

Where The Wild Things Are Activities

Where The Wild Things Are Book: Educational Lessons

If you're a teacher or homeschool educator, you'll find lots of fun and educational lessons with these Where The Wild Things Are Activities.
Elements of a Story: Language Arts Lesson Plan, Where The Wild Things Are
A K-2 Lesson Plans Page lesson plan, using the book, Where The Wild Things Are.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will be able to identify passages that indicate setting, characters, problem (events), and solution in a story.
Where The Wild Things Are -- Language Arts lesson
Wild Things ...During our study of animals, I read Where the Wild
Things Are, by Maurice Sendak. After reading and discussing the story,
my class turned their attention to the wild things in the story - which
animals they resembled, their features, and their habitat.The children were asked to creat
American Masters . For Teachers | PBS
Maurice Sendak has captured the imaginations of young readers for many years. This American Master's series lesson for teachers contains activities for both elementary and middle school students. Early elementary students will read books written and/or illustrated by Maurice Sendak, learn what reading was like at Sendak's elementary school, and write a class book based on one of Sendak's stories.

Middle school students will learn how Sendak not only wrote and illustrated children's books and created works in the field of ballet, but also turned his book Where the Wild Things Are into an opera. They will also work in groups to produce an opera.
Where The Wild Things Are -- Literature Unit
Unit includes math, science, phonics, language arts, art, and music.

Students will create a book to present to the school's preschool detailing what we learned in this unit. The book will be separated into three segments: plants, animals, and all about Max. As a group students will dictate sentences (that the teacher will record) about ideas they remember from each section. With a partner, students will be given certain sentences to illustrate. The finished student book, Where the Wild Things Are book, and audio tape will be sent to the preschool to enjoy.
"Where the Wild Things Are" Sorting - Math Lesson Plan, Thematic Unit, Activity, Worksheet, or Teaching Idea
"Where the Wild Things Are" Sorting, By - Pam Powers
Primary Subject - Language Arts
Secondary Subjects - Math, Social Studies, Multidisciplinary
Grade Level - K
Lesson Plan: WildThings - Using Imaginiation
Students implement textures and patterns in creating an imaginary "Wild Thing". the book and illustrations in Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak serve as Inspiration. Previous lesson, students created imaginary animals from scrap/found objects (recycled art).

UNIT: Drawing - Literature - Illustration
Lesson: Wild Things - texture and pattern
Grade Level: Kindergarten
Time: 2 class periods
PEC: Lesson Plans for Physical Education
"Where The Wild Things Are" Field Day

Purpose of Activity: This year our Reading Incentive Program is based on the Caldecott Medal winning book, "Where the Wild Things Are". This field day is an effort to collaborate in the school-wide program.

Suggested Grade Level: K-5
Maurice Sendak -- About The Author Lesson Plan
Share the story of Maurice Sendak with your students, and assign the related activities to help them learn more about this talented author.

For Grades 5 - 8
"Where the Wild Things Are" Geography Lesson - Associated Content
Overview:
This lesson will give students a basic overview of the geography of islands. They will learn where islands are located throughout the world. Students will explore the islands' flora and fauna, languages, and climates and cultures.

President Obama Reads the Book, Where The Wild Things Are

President Obama Reads "Where The Wild Things Are"
by brothafer | video info

235 ratings | 54,885 views
curated content from YouTube

Your Review of Where The Wild Things Are Book

Write a review, add a comment, or debate someone who disagrees with you.

Maurice Sendak's book has received a lot of controversy over the years. Here's your chance to share your view.

What did you think?

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Love it! Great read.

Terrie_Schultz says:

This was one of my daughters' favorite books, and we read it many times. I still love it.

flycatcher says:

Let the wild rumpus start!

poddys says:

I haven't read it, but I have heard a lot of parents talk about it and their children love it.

MoonandMagic says:

I have always loved this book, we used to have wild rumpus's when I was younger. I like the film too it had the same sort of magical dreamy atmosphere!

Sylvestermouse says:

My son loved this book!

Sorry, not my cup of tea.

 
view all 7 comments

Maurice Sendak Gallery

don't miss it!

The Maurice Sendak Gallery was inaugurated in April 2003 in conjunction with the Rosenbach Museum & Library's grand re-opening celebration. The Gallery is dedicated to showcasing the works and personal collections of longtime trustee and supporter Maurice Sendak.
Rosenbach Museum - Maurice Sendak Gallery
Maurice Sendak Gallery is on permanent exhibition within the Rosenbach Museum.

“Wildly imaginative - the mind of a child that lives within us all.”

What's the buzz about Where The Wild Things Are?

Where the Wild Things Are
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Where The Wild Things Are Trailer

Where the Wild Things Are --TRAILER--
by alvarejoo | video info

1,597 ratings | 946,142 views
automatically generated by YouTube

Where The Wild Things Are Movie

Sendak's Movie on the Silver Screen

On October 16, 2010 Where The Wild Things Are film was released. Find out more in this great lens all about the film.
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Where The Wild Things Are DVD

Make a rumpus whenever you desire with your own copy of Where The Wild Things Are film.

Where the Wild Things Are [Blu-ray]

Amazon Price: $3.91 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

Family fun of a classic children's book.

Where The Wild Things Are Soundtrack

Favorite movies include good characters, plots, cinematography and musical score.

Enjoy the film soundtrack music with this Amazon Mp3.

Rate it, if you dare...

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Where The Wild Things Are Costumes

Dress Up Like A Wild Thing

Do your kids want to dress up like Max or one of the Wild Things for Halloween? Kids (and some adult) costumes are popping up all over. Have fun, and let the wild rumpus start!
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Where The Wild Things Are Costumes -- Make It Yourself

For the creative types, or those who know how to sew, here are some great sites on how to make your own Wild Thing.
Max from Where the Wild Things Are Halloween Costume - Make It Yourself
On October 16 the Spike Jonze live-action movie based on Maurice Sendak's bookWhere the Wild Things Are will come out in theaters which means surely Max and his wolf suit will be a hit Halloween costume this year.
Sew a Where the Wild Things Are hat + pattern!
Are you guys excited for the movie? I'm geeking out over here. I'm totally wearing this opening night. This is a reall...
Where The Wild Things Are – Moishe | TutuToday
  Max and Moishe -- Must add modeling clay to the paper mache head for dimensions and contour. Two eyes made with one tennis ball cut in half. Nose made with tennis ball cut down the middle, squished together with duct tape and duct tape put at ...

A Homemade Max Costume

Start with grey sweatpants and a sweatshirt (with a hoodie to attach ears).
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Where The Wild Things Are Shirts

These shirts displaying famous images of Where The Wild Things Are will soon be your absolute favorite. You can find one for everyone in your family - colors, sizes and styles offer options for all.
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Where The Wild Things Are Pajamas

I love things that pull double-duty, and these pajamas could also be worn as a costume. Check out the adult wolf jammies and accessories to make you a true Wild Thing!
Wild Things Adult Wolf Pajamas
Our Wild Thing Adult Costume is inspired by the children's Book,
Where the Wild Things are Pajamas - Boy's Sleepwear & Pajamas
Where the Wild Things are Pajamas Where the Wild Things are Pajamas
Wild Things Wolf Pajamas
Wild Things Wolf Pajamas-Unleash your child's inner wild thing with our hand-tailored wolf pajamas. The soft, comfy fleece will keep your little monster warm on his or her adventures, day or night. Great as a costume for special occasions or for ever

Award Winning Illustrator and Author

Maurice Sendak won many awards and honors for his work in children's literature. Some notable honors include:





Caldecott Medal for Where the Wild Things Are (1964)

Hans Christian Andersen International Medal (1970) for his body of children's book illustration

American Book Award recipient for Outside Over There (1982)

Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his contributions to children's literature (1983)

Sendak was honored by the President of the United States with the National Medal of Arts (1996)

Maurice Sendak and Austrian author Christine Noestlinger shared the first Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for Literature (2003)

Books by Maurice Sendak

Vote for your favorites, or add your own favorite stories by Maurice Sendak.

Have your read Sendak's books other than Where The Wild Things Are? Vote for your favorites!

In the Night Kitchen (Caldecott Collection) by Maurice Sendak

In the Night Kitchen (Caldecott Collection) by Maurice Sendak

1971 Caldecott Honor BookNotable Children's Books more...0 points

Maurice Sendak's Really Rosie Starring the Nutshell Kids by Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak's Really Rosie Starring the Nutshell Kids by Maurice Sendak

(BOOK COPY)'This sturdily bound paperback contains more...0 points

Mommy? by Maurice Sendak, Arthur Yorinks, Matthew Reinhart

Mommy? by Maurice Sendak, Arthur Yorinks, Matthew Reinhart

They're all here! Everybody's favorite monsters are more...0 points

Outside Over There (Caldecott Collection) by Maurice Sendak

Outside Over There (Caldecott Collection) by Maurice Sendak

With Papa off to sea and Mama despondent, Ida must more...0 points

Higglety Pigglety Pop!: Or There Must Be More to Life by Maurice Sendak

Higglety Pigglety Pop!: Or There Must Be More to Life by Maurice Sendak

'A daring imagination has woven a simple rhyme into more...0 points

Very Far Away by Maurice Sendak

Very Far Away by Maurice Sendak

First published in 1957, Very Far Away is the second more...0 points

Alligators All Around (The Nutshell Library) by Maurice Sendak

Alligators All Around (The Nutshell Library) by Maurice Sendak

'An alligator jamboree, with all the letters ' A through more...0 points

Pierre: A Cautionary Tale in Five Chapters and a Prologue by Maurice Sendak

Pierre: A Cautionary Tale in Five Chapters and a Prologue by Maurice Sendak

Pierre's 'I don't care!' intrigues a hungry lion.'A more...0 points

The Sign on Rosie's Door by Maurice Sendak

The Sign on Rosie's Door by Maurice Sendak

There was a sign on Rosie's door that said, "If more...0 points

Kenny's Window by Maurice Sendak

Kenny's Window by Maurice Sendak

Kenny dreams of a fabulous land where he would like more...0 points

The Cricket Who Came to Dinner (Maurice Sendak's Little Bear) (Festival Readers) by Else Holmelund Minarik

The Cricket Who Came to Dinner (Maurice Sendak's Little Bear) (Festival Readers) by Else Holmelund Minarik

All of Little Bear's friends and family have gathered more...0 points

Chicken Soup with Rice: A Book of Months by Maurice Sendak

Chicken Soup with Rice: A Book of Months by Maurice Sendak

'Each month is gay, each season nice, when eating chicken more...0 points

Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann, Ralph Mannheim, Maurice Sendak

Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann, Ralph Mannheim, Maurice Sendak

The tale of Nutcracker, written by E.T.A. Hoffmann more...0 points

Seven Little Monsters by Maurice Sendak

Seven Little Monsters by Maurice Sendak

Seven monsters make trouble for the villagers.0 points

Hector Protector and As I Went Over the Water: Two Nursery Rhymes by Maurice Sendak

Hector Protector and As I Went Over the Water: Two Nursery Rhymes by Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak has interpreted these old' Mother Goose more...0 points

Father's Flying Flapjacks (Maurice Sendak's Little Bear) by Else Holmelund Minarik

Father's Flying Flapjacks (Maurice Sendak's Little Bear) by Else Holmelund Minarik

Mother Bear is in for a breakfast surprise when Little more...0 points

Maurice Sendak's Christmas Mystery by Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak's Christmas Mystery by Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak's Christmas Mystery comes in an elegant more...0 points

Maurice Sendak's Seven Little Monsters: We Love You, Mama! - Book #2 by Arthur Yorinks

Maurice Sendak's Seven Little Monsters: We Love You, Mama! - Book #2 by Arthur Yorinks

It's Mama's birthday and the seven little monsters more...0 points

Books About Author/Illustrator Maurice Sendak

Check out these titles for even more information, photos, and interpretations of the work of Maurice Sendak.

The Art of Maurice Sendak: 1980 to Present by Tony Kushner

The Art of Maurice Sendak: 1980 to Present by Tony Kushner

Maurice Sendak is one of most admired artists in children's more...0 points

The Art of Maurice Sendak (v. 1) by Selma Lanes

The Art of Maurice Sendak (v. 1) by Selma Lanes

A book which contains many images of the well-know more...0 points

Making Mischief: A Maurice Sendak Appreciation by Gregory Maguire

Making Mischief: A Maurice Sendak Appreciation by Gregory Maguire

Book Description The New York Times bestselling author more...0 points

Maurice Sendak (First Biographies) by Eric Braun

Maurice Sendak (First Biographies) by Eric Braun

Introduce young readers to great historical figure more...0 points

Angels and Wild Things: The Archetypal Poetics of Maurice Sendak by John Cech

Angels and Wild Things: The Archetypal Poetics of Maurice Sendak by John Cech

Over the course of more than 80 books that he has more...0 points

Maurice Sendak and the Art of Children's Book Illustration by L.M. Poole

Maurice Sendak and the Art of Children's Book Illustration by L.M. Poole

Maurice Sendak is the widely acclaimed American ch more...0 points

Maurice Sendak (Real-Life Reader Biography) by Ann Gaines

Maurice Sendak (Real-Life Reader Biography) by Ann Gaines

Not all of the adults liked Maurice Sendak's Where more...0 points

Maurice Sendak - In His Own Words

Illustrator and author Maurice Sendak pulls no punches on his ideas of illustration, childhood, and what makes a children's book.
Maurice Sendak on his work, childhood, inspirations
by RosenbachMuseum | video info

81 ratings | 24,475 views
curated content from YouTube

Children's Lit Controversy

Maurice Sendak received criticism for his work because he delved into themes not usually associated with children's literature. Where The Wild Things Are was criticized for including a mischievous child and dark creatures. In the Night Kitchen has elements of sensuousness with the main character illustrated without clothing. What do you think the criteria should be?

Should Children's Literature Be Censored To Eliminate Darker Themes?

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No, give kids a rounded view of the world

poddys says:

I don't think there is any problem with this type of theme, after all children imagine just about anything, and they are going to come across dark forces sooner or later. Let their imagination run wild.

MoonandMagic says:

The slightly dark undertones was one of the reasons I loved this so much, the feeling after reading this just made me look at everything differently. I think kids need that every now and again. the twists of life, the fear of loneliness it all teaches kids a very important lesson. It's silly to protect children from everything they need to learn first hand.

lostinfiction says:

I really don't think they should be censored, especially since kids themselves manage to come up with quite dark, gruesome stuff themselves. In the case of Sendak, it might shed some light to read about his father's influence on him with regards to how he embellishes his stories with darker themes...

JenniferAkers says:

I don't think literature - children's or adult - should be censored. I think the age and temperament of the child should be taken into account when reading, and parents have the opportunity to help give children a rounded view. I read many types of genres (and themes) to my son and always took the time to discuss them.

EverythingMouse says:

Absolutely not!

Yes, the dark themes are inappropriate for young kids

Sylvestermouse says:

First, let me say it depends on the age of the child. When my children were younger (8 or younger) we read everything and watched every movie before they did. We still let them read and watch but we knew what areas to knowledgeably discuss with them afterwards. I can't remember the exact age, but around 10 years old, we knew they were mature enough to analyze just about any subject for themselves. I honestly think it helps protect young children if parents set the perimeters when they are really young and I completely agree with Pukeko that I am absolutely against any banning of books. Parents should make those decisions based on the maturity and awareness level of each individual child. I have a niece who had true night terrors for weeks if she was exposed to anything scary. She even found Ursula from the Little Mermaid scary.

Pukeko says:

Censored by parents yes, I am not for Govt banning of books.

Treasures-By-Brenda says:

I'd have to say that some dark themes should definitely be censored.

 
view all 10 comments

Collect Where The Wild Things Are Memorabilia

Kids will love to get these extra treats to go along with the book and movie. Enjoy seeing your favorite characters come to life in these collectibles.
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JenniferAkers

I've loved reading and writing for as long as I can remember. My mom passed along her love of reading to me, and I have done the same for my son (reading... more »

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