Sendak, Maurice. 1963. WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. Ill. by Maurice Sendak. HarperCollins Publishers: ISBN 9780060254926
PLOT SUMMARY
Maurice Sendak’s story focuses on the impulsive and volatile nature of adolescent children, particularly little boys. The main character, Max decides one night to run wild and commit mischief, causing him to be sent to bed without dinner. Max feels both angry and powerless. He releases these powerful emotions through his imagination. The recreation of his room into a forest and an ocean leading to the land “where the wild things are” presents a young boy’s journey to the realization that he needs to be with the ones who love him not encased within his anger.
Maurice Sendak’s story focuses on the impulsive and volatile nature of adolescent children, particularly little boys. The main character, Max decides one night to run wild and commit mischief, causing him to be sent to bed without dinner. Max feels both angry and powerless. He releases these powerful emotions through his imagination. The recreation of his room into a forest and an ocean leading to the land “where the wild things are” presents a young boy’s journey to the realization that he needs to be with the ones who love him not encased within his anger.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Sendak’s story is simplistic in terminology and form. However, his rapid change in setting coupled with the striking imagery of the wild things creates visions that are almost scary. Max’s response to his mother’s calling him a “WILD THING” in saying that “I’LL EAT YOU UP” raises some eyebrows at the bold capitalized lettering of the words and the implications of eating his mother. The blunt and confident nature of young Max is realistic as it is volatile. Similarly, Sendak repetitively uses negative words, such as “terrible roars,” “terrible teeth,” “terrible eyes,”and “terrible claws” to emphasize the anger projected from Max’s imagination.
The visual illustrations also created by Maurice Sendak provide parallel characterizations to the words. The “wild things” do, indeed, appear wild in their almost pagan-like appearance with each“thing” bearing characteristics from various animals. For example, one bears the feet of a duck, scaly legs, a furry body and monkey-like head. These overloaded images dominating each page pairs surprisingly well with the simple, repetitive verbiage.
When first released in 1963, the book received negative reviews and was banned from libraries. However, this is an excellent book for parents, teachers, and librarians to teach children how to cope with anger through a positive outlet, their imagination.
Sendak’s story is simplistic in terminology and form. However, his rapid change in setting coupled with the striking imagery of the wild things creates visions that are almost scary. Max’s response to his mother’s calling him a “WILD THING” in saying that “I’LL EAT YOU UP” raises some eyebrows at the bold capitalized lettering of the words and the implications of eating his mother. The blunt and confident nature of young Max is realistic as it is volatile. Similarly, Sendak repetitively uses negative words, such as “terrible roars,” “terrible teeth,” “terrible eyes,”and “terrible claws” to emphasize the anger projected from Max’s imagination.
The visual illustrations also created by Maurice Sendak provide parallel characterizations to the words. The “wild things” do, indeed, appear wild in their almost pagan-like appearance with each“thing” bearing characteristics from various animals. For example, one bears the feet of a duck, scaly legs, a furry body and monkey-like head. These overloaded images dominating each page pairs surprisingly well with the simple, repetitive verbiage.
When first released in 1963, the book received negative reviews and was banned from libraries. However, this is an excellent book for parents, teachers, and librarians to teach children how to cope with anger through a positive outlet, their imagination.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Horn Book Fanfare
New York Times Best Illustrated Book
Caldecott Medal
ALA Notable Children’s Book
Reading Rainbow Book
Lewis Carroll Shelf Award
Library of Congress Children’s Books
New York Public Library’s “One Hundred for Reading and Sharing”
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
CONNECTIONS
*Those wishing to discuss positive ways to control or release anger of adolescents should consider using this book in a group or one-on-one reading, a book that encourages using your imagination.
*Gather other books by Maurice Sendak, winner of the Caldecott Award, the Hans Christian Andersen Medal, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, the National Medal of Arts, and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award; see how he conveys truth, feelings, and imagination through art and repetition.
Viorist, Judith. ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY. ISBN 1416985956
Barrett, Judi. CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS. ISBN 0689306474
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