where the wild things are and other maurice sendak stories

When Where the Wild Things Are was published in 1963, Sendak’s monsters were often considered much too frightening for children. It can truly be said that Sendak changed the look of books for young children and became an indelible part of American popular culture. Sendak used cross-hatching with pen and ink over colored paint to create a the balance of silliness and subtlety that marks this classic. Later, when Max smells good things to eat, the world grows smaller, but never gets as small as it once was. The illustrations then proceed down the page until they have driven off all print by the time the 'wild rumpus' starts. As he gains supremacy and control, his world as represented by the illustrations grows bigger until the picture occupies the full page and even spreads onto the next page. Max's world when he is 'making mischief of one kind and another' is small and the picture occupies a small place on the page. When Max decides to return to where someone loves him best of all, the wild things try all their wiles to persuade him to stay, but he sails back into the warmth of his own room. Knowing they have met their master, they acclaim Max King of all wild things and celebrate their wildness together. Once there he tames the monsters by staring into their yellow eyes without blinking. His room is transformed into a magic forest and Max sets off in his very own boat to the land of the wild things. His angry mother yells at him and he yells back whereupon he is sent to bed without his supper.

In the opening scenes Max wears his wolf suit and creates havoc. With a perfect marriage of text and illustration, Sendak propels us and Max from his home where he and his mother shout with rage at each other across time and place to where the wild things are. This classic picture book has delighted generations of children while jangling the nerves of some less intrepid adults and children.

Where the wild things are and other maurice sendak stories