Where the Wild Things Are

 

1.Bibliography

Sendak, M. (2013). Where the wild things are. Harper Collins Publishers. 9780099408390

2. Plot Summary

Max is sent to his room without supper after being mischievous and gets in trouble. He begins to imagine sailing through to an island where the wild things are. He is named king of all wild things where they have a wild rumpus. He began to feel lonely and wanted to be somewhere where he was loved best of all. Once he smells something good to eat, he gives up being king and sails back home to find his supper waiting for him.

3. Critical Analysis

This classic story opens your imagination into a new wild world. Maurice Sendak brings his story to life with descriptive details to help the reader visualize. Max is relatable to children as someone that gets in trouble The big stand out element in the story is Sendak’s illustrations. As Max enters his new world, it starts to grow bigger and bigger. There are even pages while they are having their rumpus dance, that is filled with only detailed illustrations and no words. As Max leaves his new world the pictures begin to get smaller and smaller to where the last page only has text but no illustration.   

4. Review Excerpt(s)

Caldecott Medal 1964

Indies Choice Book Award for Picture Book Hall of Fame 2009

Voted the number one picture book in a survey of School Library Journal Readers in 2012

Good Reads Review- “The illustrations are magical and the text is beyond wonderful. It is one of the most fun and rewarding books for a parent to read to a kid (lots of fun making dancing sounds and monster sounds!) and features joyful plot.”

5. Connections

• Compare and contrast the book and the movie

• Create and describe your own wild thing creature. 

• Read Maurice Sendak’s other works such as In the Night Kitchen, Nutshell Library and Higglety Pigglety Pop!