Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
"Where the Wild Things Are" is a renowned children's book written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, first published in 1963. It follows the journey of a young boy named Max, who, after a confrontation with his mother, escapes to a fantastical island inhabited by the "Wild Things." In this imaginative realm, Max becomes their king and revels in a wild celebration. The story, noted for its darker themes and deep emotional resonance, explores the complexities of childhood emotions, particularly feelings of anger and longing for parental love.
Despite its initial mixed reception, the book eventually gained widespread acclaim and won the 1964 Caldecott Medal for its distinguished contribution to children's literature. Sendak's work is celebrated for its unique ability to blend fantastical elements with real-life issues, providing insight into child development and family dynamics. The narrative is succinct, consisting of only ten sentences and minimal text, which enhances the visual storytelling through Sendak's iconic illustrations. Over the years, "Where the Wild Things Are" has inspired several adaptations, including animated shorts and a feature film, solidifying its status as a classic in children's literature.
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Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Where the Wild Things Are is a 1963 children’s book written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. The picture book tells the story of a young boy named Max who, after a fight with his mother, travels to a mysterious island where he is made king of the “Wild Things” that live there. Where the Wild Things Are won the 1964 Caldecott Medal and, in the decades that followed its publication, became one of the most beloved children’s books of all time.
Overview
Maurice Sendak was born into a Polish Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York, in 1928. Sendak developed an interest in drawing as a young child and worked steadily as a book writer and illustrator through the 1940s and 1950s. His most notable work was for the Little Bear series, written by Else Holmelund Minarik.
He soon began to work on solo projects, with one story being that of a little boy who runs away to a land of wild horses. Sendak discovered, however, that he could not draw horses well, and instead created the book’s iconic monsters, partly inspired by childhood memories of some of the exaggerated characters in his own extended family. Though Where the Wild Things Are was not initially well received after its 1963 publication, Sendak soon saw the book grow more and more popular with children and, eventually, adults. It won the 1964 Caldecott Medal for Most Distinguished Children’s Book.
In its opening pages, Where the Wild Things Are tells the story of a young boy named Max who, clad in a wolf costume, misbehaves and is sent to bed without any supper. Max’s room slowly transforms and he finds himself sailing to the island of the Wild Things. He takes charge of the beasts and is given a crown and becomes their king, celebrating with a wild party. Eventually Max chooses to return home, where he finds his warm supper waiting for him. In total, the book is only ten sentences long and contains only 338 words; many pages contain no words at all.
The book is noted for its darker tone and presentation of the realistic conflict between young Max and his mother. He is angry about his punishment and retreats into a fantasy in which he becomes the Wild Thing his mother accused him of behaving like. Where the Wild Things Are is also discussed as a seminal work for the way it bridged a more classic fairy tale with real-life issues related to psychology, family, and child development. The book is further acclaimed for its depiction of a child’s imagination and the way it resonates with its young readers, speaking to their personal experiences with discipline and parental love.
Where the Wild Things Are was adapted into an animated short in 1974 (updated in 1988) and a one-act opera in 1980. In 2009, noted director Spike Jonze helmed a feature-length film version that was well received by critics. In its original form, however, Sendak’s story is considered an enduring masterpiece and a classic.
Bibliography
Ball, John Clement. “Max’s Colonial Fantasy: Rereading Sendak’s ‘Where the Wild Things Are.’” Ariel 28.1 (1997): 167–79. Print.
Garner, Dwight. “Understanding Children, Yet Wanting Them to Grow Up a Bit.” New York Times 9 May 2012: 20. Print.
Goodale, Gloria. “‘Where the Wild Things Are’ Author Sendak Wrote to ‘Communicate Profound Truths.’” Christian Science Monitor. Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2012. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.
Gottlieb, Richard. “Where the Wild Things Are.” Psychologist 22.10 (2009): 846–49. Print.
Marcus, Leonard S. “Where the Wild Things Are.” Horn Book Magazine 79.6 (2003): 703–6. Print.
Minzesheimer, Bob. “Author Smashed Perceptions of Children’s Literature.” USA Today 17 Dec. 2012: 38. Print.
Perl, Jed. “Where the Wild Things Are.” New Republic 18 Mar. 1996: 30–34. Print.
Sutton, Roger. “King of All the Caldecotts.” Horn Book Magazine 88.4 (2012): 7–8. Print.