WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE By Maurice Sendak

1.  Bibliography
Sendak, Maurice.  1963.  WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE.  New York:  Harper Collins Publishing.  ISBN 9780064431781

2.  Plot Summary
Max is a mischievous little boy who is sent to bed with no supper for being too wild.  He uses his imagination to go to the world of the wild things and become their king to be where he belongs with his bad behavior.  Max becomes tired of being wild and misses his family. He returns home to find his dinner waiting for him and realizes there is more to life than just being wild. 

3.  Critical Analysis
The authors writing is from the perspective of a young boy who a first does not realize that good behavior is important.  The story makes children realize that being wild and on their own can be lonely.  Parents make children follow rules out of love, which Max realizes when his dinner is waiting in his room even though his mom said he could not have dinner.  On the last page of the story there is no images only the final words that his dinner is still warm.  The importance of love and understanding is conveyed on the last page of the book.  Illustrations are not important at this point only the words on the final page of the story.

The illustrations of the book are colorful and bring to life the world of the wild things.  The colors on the pages are full of greens and blues to show the lush forest and sky.  Has the reader turns each page Sendak changes the sky to let the reader know what time of day is taking place in the story.  The characters and background of the story have immense detail.  The reader can see all the fine lines of hair on the wild things bodies and see every blade of grass on the forest floor.  A lot of thought and detail is put into each illustration in the story to visualize the imagination of the main character.

This is a great book to read to children about good behavior, love, and imagination.  It helps the reader see the wonder of the imagination and adventure.  But at the end of an adventure it is important to be a good person and return to the ones who love you.

4.  Review Excerpts
Caldecott Medal Winner for the most distinguished picture book of 1964.
Common Sense remarks that "Classic all ages masterpiece with a wild imagination."
School Library Journal says,"Where the Wild Things Are is a masterpiece."

5.  Connections
Schedule a family night at the library to read the book and watch the movie of WHERE THE WILDS THINGS ARE.
Other books about imagination and changing behavior from bad to good:
Donaldson, Julia.  THE GRUFFALO.  ISBN 0803723865
Willems, Mo.  YOUR PAL MO  WILLEMS PRESENTS LEONARDO THE TERRIBLE MONSTER.  ISBN 0786852941.