Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak is an iconic book. It’s one of those books that has had so much influence that where do I even begin discussing it? The thought is overwhelming. I don’t even dare attempt it. This won’t be a formal review of any sorts but rather my random thoughts about it.
I grew up with this book. Who didn’t grow up with this book? Seriously? I naturally assume that EVERY single household has a copy (or two) of it. That’s how huge in my head it is. I remember this book somehow, magically, always within arms reach. It’s one of the very first picture books that my husband and I purchased after we got married because it felt unnatural to set up our house without this book in it.
Who didn’t want to be Max? What a lucky little boy. Sent to bed without dinner. But who cares? Who needs dinner when a forest starts to grow in your room and an ocean tumbles by with a private boat to sail to where the wild things are. And although the wild things roar their terrible roars and gnash their terrible teeth and roll their terrible eyes and show their terrible claws, it doesn’t matter because you easily tame them and become their king. And then you have a wild rumpus and swing from the trees and have a grand old time. And the best part, when you sail back home you have your supper waiting for you anyways! A nice warm supper after a grand adventure. Yes. Who doesn’t want to be Max?
A book that I will make sure my boys grow up just as I did.
Who’s excited for the movie?! I am. Maurice Sendak has worked closely in making sure the movie matched his vision and from what I understand is ecstatic with how it turned out. The movie will be released on October 16th of this year. Two more weeks! This is one that’s worth getting a babysitter for – that’s how I determine how all movies are lately – are they worth the cost of a babysitter and the price of a ticket?
Where the Wild Things Are movie trailer:
So what are your thoughts about Where the Wild Things Are?
I read Where the Wild Things Are as part of Banned Books Week. The book has been challenged because of its witchcraft and supernatural elements. Witchcraft? Because he tamed them? I don’t get it.
Links of interest: Maurice Sendak Wikipedia entry, more book blogger reviews, and the Terrible Yellow Eyes website which is a fantastic art site!
Genre: Picture Book
Publisher: HarperCollins. November, 1988. (Originally published 1968).
Paperback, 48 pages. ISBN: 0064431789
Where the Wild Things Are is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.
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Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Picture & Board Books
Tags: banned, Caldecott, published 1960's, Q-T Author, U-Z Title
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I grew up with this one too. Who can help but love the story? I will also admit I shed a little tear every time I see the trailer. I don’t know if it is nostalgia or what, because I’m not a crier usually. I just hope and pray that Jonze doesn’t screw it up. The potential is there folks. We have high expectations!
on October 1st, 2009 at 3:53 amI loved this book – as a parent. I used to read it to my son and we’d giggle as we read because it was such a great book. I never once connected anything negative to this book.
I remember having to explain to my son what “gnashed” meant : )
Thanks for the memory…
on October 1st, 2009 at 6:00 amWitchcraft? Huh. I’m looking forward to this movie, too.
on October 1st, 2009 at 7:08 amSeriously? Witchcraft? I mean, the book can be a little scary when you’re little, but I don’t know what witchcraft there is. Is ‘the wild rumpus’ really a coven meeting of monster-witches?
on October 1st, 2009 at 7:59 amThis was such a fantastic book, I can’t count the amount of times my mom read this book to me when I was a kid!
I can’t wait until the movie comes out.
on October 1st, 2009 at 9:07 amI admit that I never really liked this book. Even as a kid I thought Max was not a very likable character and I didn’t get how you could be friends with someone who would eat you.
The movie, however, looks amazing! I’m definitely bringing my boys to see it.
Last, banned? I don’t get it, either. I tame kids all day long. I must be a witch.
on October 1st, 2009 at 9:27 amI don’t think I’ve ever read this one, actually. It never seemed interesting to me at all.
on October 1st, 2009 at 9:42 amI LOVE this book. It is one of those iconic childhood books. Unfortunately, neither one of my children love it as much as I do. It breaks my heart to see it sitting on the shelf, forgotten by them.
I agree that the movie looks amazing! Since my kids don’t like it, I can definitely see this being a date night.
on October 1st, 2009 at 10:47 amCouldn’t figure out why this one is on the list. As my cousin pointed out, it doesn’t really even have that many words!
on October 1st, 2009 at 11:54 amI love Where The Wild Things Are? and absolutely cannot wait to see the film.
on October 1st, 2009 at 2:56 pmI saw little animals from this book in all the museums at DC and thought they were from The Neverending Story. I had never heard of these books before the weekend.
on October 1st, 2009 at 4:26 pmi am so addicted to this trailer because of the song played…Wake Up by Arcade Fire. I totally want to see this movie just b/c of that song lol. I remember when the trailer first came out and all i could think was Wow, they look just like the book from what I could remember when I read this book when i was young.
on October 1st, 2009 at 9:53 pmI know I must have read this story as a kid but I swear I don’t remember anything from it. I am looking forward to the movie. It’s whimsy suits me lol.
I’ve given up trying to understand the why behind book banning. It really makes no sense more times than not. I’ll never ever forget hearing about the banning of Farenheit 451 because the Bible is burned it. Bit ironic?
on October 2nd, 2009 at 2:38 amThis is a book that people have told me over and over again that they can’t believe I have never read it! When I was the right age for it, though, my reading was largely left up to my parents so I didn’t really choose whether to read it or not! I should now, though…
on October 3rd, 2009 at 8:58 amI remember reading it as little kid. I don’t think I ever read it to either of my girls though. I will get on that though! Okay… I won’t read it to my 15yo, but I will LET her read when we borrow it from the library. =)
on October 3rd, 2009 at 10:50 amI cry everytime I see this preview. Should I be admitting that in public?
I love this book as well and have my copy on my shelf to hopefully read to youngsters one day. When I was at my sister’s a few weeks ago I sneaked into the nursery and read this to my niece. I think she liked it a lot–even though she’s only 6 months old. 
on October 3rd, 2009 at 12:10 pmMy entire family is waiting eagerly to see the movie- my husband and I loved it as kids and my daughter knows the story well, too. We’re not getting a babysitter- we’re taking our five-year-old along with us!
on October 3rd, 2009 at 1:01 pmI loved this book – and I’ve read it too all three of my boys. Can’t wait for the movie!
on October 6th, 2009 at 8:29 am