Where the Wild Things Are

Title: Where the Wild Things Are

Author: Maurice Sendak

Publisher: Harper Collins

Date: 1988

Number of pages: 48 pages

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Summary: This class children's short-story tells the of young boy named Max, who one evening plays around his home making "mischief" in a wolf costume. As punishment, his mother sends him to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious, wild forest and sea grows out of his imagination, and Max sails to the land of Wild Things. The Wild Things are fearsome-looking monsters, but Max conquers them by staring into all their yellow eyes without blinking once, and he is then is made "the king of all wild things", and participates in celebration by dancing with the monsters in a "wild rumpus". However, he soon finds himself lonely and homesick  missing his mother and her love, and returns home to his bedroom where he finds his supper waiting for him on the table, still hot (as though time had not passed) 

My reaction: This is one of my favorite books of all times; I remember reading this book at my grandmother's house when I was little. Whenever I got frustrated when I was younger this book would always inspire me settle down and realize that everything will be okay. This book is good to show children how to deal with frustration and that they will always have people around them that love them no matter what. The illustrations in this book are phenomenal, it starts off plain but then you really see the young boy's imagination take over. You see monsters and a jungle like you have never seen before. This book is a must for young children!

Potential problems: Places glamor on running away, making it seem appropriate from children to consider. Although Max does end up coming home, the point in fact is that Max runs away for being upset with his mother. This could teach a child that misbehaving and reacting to discipline is accepted in society - being the proof of the books popularity.

My recommendation: Where the Wild Things Are is a good read aloud book for young children, Pre-K through 3. Second and third graders should be able to read most if not all of the book without help. The pictures are phenomenal and interesting to look at for any age.