Introduction
As soon as you see that iconic cover of a wolf-suited boy standing in a moonlit forest, you know you’re in for an adventure. Maurice Sendak’s 1963 classic picture book Where the Wild Things Are has captivated generations of young readers, immersing them in a world of mischief, tantrums, imagination, and ultimately, love.
More than just a simple bedtime story, Where the Wild Things Are explores complex themes in a way that resonates deeply with children. At its core, it’s a tale of a child working through complicated emotions in order to reconnect with a loved one. Let’s dive into why this book continues to win over kids and adults alike, nearly 60 years after its release.
Where the Wild Things Are by author Maurice Sendak on your favorite bookstore, including Amazon.com and Amazon UK.
Table of Contents
Maurice Sendak Crafts a Masterpiece
Before writing Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak was an artist working in advertising and illustration. He had loved drawing fantastical creatures since childhood, later remarking that he was “trying to draw something that would look the way children feel.”
When he started work on Where the Wild Things Are in the early 1960s, many children’s books shied away from exploring dark or complex themes. Sendak set out to create a story that reflected the realities of childhood. He drew inspiration from his own childhood memories of misbehaving and longing for connection.
Over the two years he spent writing and illustrating the book, Sendak crafted a masterful blend of carefully chosen words and expressive illustrations. He keeps the language simple, allowing the pictures to do much of the storytelling. There is an immense depth of emotion conveyed in the characters’ facial expressions and body language.
Sendak’s meticulous attention to craft results in just 338 words that pack a punch. There is not a word wasted in this energetic, poignant whirlwind of a story.
Mischievous Max Dreams Up Mischief
The story opens on a night when Max, wearing his signature red wolf suit, is feeling especially “wild.” Throughout the house, he chases his dog with a fork and wrecks general havoc. His poor mom calls him “WILD THING!” and sends him to bed with no dinner.
Alone in his room, Max’s imagination takes over. Staring out his window into the night, he dreams up a forest and an ocean sprouting from his bedroom floor. A boat appears to carry Max to the land “where the wild things are.”
With this magical transition, Max arrives in a world where anything is possible. He boldly declares himself “the most wild thing of all” and becomes the king of the bizarre creatures inhabiting this forest.
Romping with the Wild Things
For many children, the Wild Things are the best part of the book. These furry monsters look vaguely like oversized animals, but each has a unique, almost humanlike facial expression.
Max instantly bonds with his new Wild Thing subjects by participating in a reckless romp through the forest. They spend glorious hours “howling at the moon” and roaring their terrible roars.
The exhilarating party is captured vividly in Sendak’s illustrations. Each spread bleeds off the pages on all sides, heightening the sense that Max has tumbled into an unbounded world of adventure. The Wild Things’ unauthorized ruckus could wake parents everywhere!
With this gleeful section of the story, Sendak evokes a childlike sense of freedom. Haven’t we all wanted to sneak out into the night and make as much noise as we please? The story validates a universal childhood impulse toward innocent mischief.
From Temper Tantrum to Tenderness
After joyfully embracing his wild side, Max starts to feel lonely in his role as king. He can sense something is still missing. In a poignant two-page spread, a melancholy Max sits atop a pile of sleeping Wild Things under a glowing full moon.
When Max wants to send the Wild Things to bed without supper as punishment for not being wild enough, they turn the tables on him. We see Max’s gloriously wild tantrum turn into acute homesickness for “the place where someone loved him best of all.”
With that heart-wrenching realization, Max sets sail back home to his own bedroom. There he finds a hot supper waiting for him-evidence that his mother still loves him, despite his naughty antics.
Sendak captures beautifully the emotional arc of a child working through feelings of anger to get back into a parent’s good graces. For young readers, Max’s final embrace with his mom resonates as a profound expression of love.
Why This Book Endures
Where the Wild Things Are broke ground by exploring themes rarely seen in kids’ books of its era, including:
- Anger, rebellion, and discipline
- The power of imagination
- Overcoming loneliness and isolation
- Reconciliation and unconditional love
Sendak refuses to sugarcoat Max’s behaviors or gloss over his flaws. This allows readers to see themselves in the characters, validating their own complicated mix of emotions. While the story acknowledges a child’s impulse toward defiance, it ultimately leaves them feeling safe and loved.
Beyond its themes, the book weaves together brilliantly vivid language and illustrations. Sendak’s masterful visual storytelling and emotional honesty create a reading experience that has captivated children for decades.
For busy parents, the book’s brief length also makes it perfect for bedtime reading. In just 10 minutes, you can join Max in working through big feelings, before emerging back in the comfort of home.
Max’s Legacy
Since its publication in 1963, Where the Wild Things Are has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. It was adapted into a live-action film in 2009, bringing the beloved story to a new generation.
In addition to the lasting popularity of his most famous work, Maurice Sendak left behind an impressive creative legacy before his death in 2012. He wrote and illustrated over 100 picture books and won numerous accolades, including the 1964 Caldecott Medal for Where the Wild Things Are.
While his career created many iconic characters and stories, Max remains most beloved for starting the “wild rumpus” that has enthralled kids for over half a century. Where the Wild Things Are will continue inspiring boundless childhood imagination for decades to come.
Conclusion: A Wildly Imaginative Journey
More than just an endearing bedtime story, Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are captures the full emotional spectrum of childhood. For the millions who have ventured to that mysterious forest, the book is remembered as a magical flight of fantasy that always brings you back home.
Through rich illustrations and carefully chosen words, Sendak distills the essence of what it feels like to be a complicated, sometimes misunderstood kid. His ability to convey heart-wrenching emotion using only a few hundred words is a true feat of artistic mastery.
Parents will be sharing this book with their children as long as there are little ones begging to stay up just a few minutes past bedtime. We all need to let our imaginations run wild sometimes and feel that profound comfort of being unconditionally loved. Where the Wild Things Are reminds us that even the wildest among us will always have a place we can call home.
FAQs
What is the Book about?
Where the Wild Things Are follows the imaginative adventures of a rambunctious young boy named Max. After getting sent to bed without dinner for acting out, Max dreams up a fantasy world filled with mysterious monsters. He tames the wild things through play and becomes their king, only to later give in to loneliness and longing for home. This whimsical tale captures the full emotional spectrum of childhood, from tantrums to tenderness.
Why is the Wild Things Are considered a classic?
Since its release in 1963, Where the Wild Things Are has captivated generations of children. Author Maurice Sendak broke ground by exploring complex themes like anger, discipline, and reconciliation in a nuanced way. His imaginative storytelling validates a child’s impulse for mischief while ultimately leaving them reassured of their parent’s unconditional love. The book weaves together emotional depth with beautiful illustrations that draw readers into Max’s world. This masterful blend has made it an enduring classic.
What age is This Book appropriate for?
Where the Wild Things Are is a picture book aimed at children ages 3 to 8. Preschoolers relate to Max’s temper tantrums and older kids connect with his struggle between independence and needing familial bonds. The brief length and imaginative story also make it perfect for reading aloud at bedtime. While simple enough for young readers, the book explores themes with nuance that adults can also appreciate.
Why are the Wild Things so memorable?
The imaginary Wild Things Max encounters are some of the most iconic and beloved creatures in children’s literature. While vaguely animal-like, each furry monster has a distinct, almost humanlike facial expression. This allows them to convey a depth of emotion readily understandable to children. The Wild Things’ spectacular forest romp captures a sense of exhilaration and freedom kids long for. These creative creatures continue to capture imaginations almost 60 years later.
What are some key themes in Where the Wild Things Are?
Some of the profound themes Where the Wild Things Are explores include anger, rebellion, discipline, imagination, loneliness, and parental love. Max’s emotional arc models how children can work through complicated feelings of defiance to ultimately feel safe and cared for. By refusing to sugarcoat childhood’s darker emotions, Sendak created a nuanced reading experience that resonates deeply.
Why are the illustrations so effective?
Maurice Sendak’s imaginative illustrations are an integral part of what makes Where the Wild Things Are so impactful. He uses a fluid, emotive drawing style that expertly captures Max’s facial expressions and the monsters’ wildly fun romp. The pages bleed to the edges, immersing readers in Max’s fantasy world. Sendak’s pictures convey key parts of the story, allowing the language to remain simple yet packed with meaning.
What awards did Where the Wild Things Are win?
In 1964, Where the Wild Things Are received the prestigious Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book. The book’s illustrations were groundbreaking for their ability to convey emotion and propel the story. Since then, it has achieved numerous honors, including being named one of the National Education Association’s “Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children” based on a survey of educators.
Why was Where the Wild Things Are banned by some libraries?
Despite its acclaim, in the 1960s and 70s Where the Wild Things Are was banned by some libraries and schools for allegedly promoting disobedience, supernatural themes, and violence. Critics disapproved of Max’s temper tantrums and the monsters’ rough-housing. However, most readers saw the book’s value in exploring childhood emotions in an imaginative way. It remains in circulation today.
How was Where the Wild Things Are adapted into a movie?
In 2009, director Spike Jonze brought Where the Wild Things Are to the big screen in a live-action fantasy film. While taking some creative liberties, the adaptation expanded on the creatures’ origins and society. It used innovative costuming to bring the monsters to life while still honoring Sendak’s original vision. The film gave renewed attention to this beloved tale, introducing it to a new generation.
Why does Where the Wild Things Are have lasting appeal?
At its heart, Where the Wild Things Are explores childhood emotions and longings that will never change. Sendak’s ability to capture the essence of feeling alone, misunderstood, and wanting unconditional love makes the story timeless. Parents can always relate to the desire to discipline yet still reassure their kids. The book validates imagination and mischief in a way that deeply resonates with every generation.
