Where the Wild Things Are
by Maurice Sendak
|
List Price: Our Price: $10.25 You Save: $7.70 (43%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.49 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Where the Wild Things Are
Book Review: A wonderfully wild experience...
Summary: 5 Stars
Inspired by my Ammy buddy Betty Dravis (yes, that's DRAVIS, not Davis), I decided to go ahead and write a review for a book I wouldn't normally. I become so self consumed with reading, watching and listening to more adult fare that I tend to neglect this genre altogether. Recently though, as my daughter has gotten a little older, I have been reading a lot of children's books. Her favorite thing in the world is being read to and so from the minute I get home until it's time to eat I find myself reading to my little angel.
As a young boy I remember loving this book, and so since my daughter has this newfound adoration for books I decided to buy her a copy.
She LOVES it.
The great thing about `Where the Wild Things Are' is that it is written at the right level to engage them without over stimulating them. There are few words, and they are strung along across quite a few pages with some big illustrations. You don't have to linger on one particular page for too long, which is good because after a while of staring at the same picture my daughter starts to turn the pages for me. The illustrations are wonderfully done; the monsters (wild things) are goofy enough so as not to frighten the child (I read this to my daughter before bed every night, so I guess there's further proof). The illustrations, especially on the pages without words, are great ways to get your children involved in reading as well. There are a few pages in the center of the book that show Max and the Wild Things dancing and howling and swinging from the trees. It's at this point where I get my daughter to dance in the living room or howl at the ceiling. She loves it, and watching her get so excited over a book is such a genuine joy. Another thing I really like about the wording is that it has a very nice, poetic flow to it. It almost encourages a smooth tone in your voice. It's written in such an easy way that it sounds almost comforting.
And of course it teaches children that no matter what, they are always loved.
I completely recommend this book. It was a highlight of my childhood, and now it's a highlight for my little angel. I'm positive that you too will enjoy this book as a family. Another selling point is that they are currently filming the movie adaptation to this book, so getting your children interested in this now will only heighten their joy for the film when it is released. I'm hoping by then my daughter will be just as stoked as I am.
Book Review: So he sailed away for a year and a day
Summary: 5 Stars
I haven't a clue how one goes about reviewing the book that is perhaps the most beloved, respected, and widely enjoyed American picture book of the last 100 years. Maurice Sendak could never have imagined that his canny "Where the Wild Things Are" would not only capture the Caldecott Award of 1963, but go on to be hailed by critics, loved by librarians, and considered by parents to be one of the finest works of picture book art ever concocted. Is the book deserving of its praise? I suppose. But honestly, it is very difficult to read it today without getting caught up in its publicity and hype. On the whole, though, it is an enjoyable read and few can resist its charms.We begin the book with two small vignettes of the naughty things Max does that get him sent to bed. Max is a boy outfitted in a wolf suit, and after being sent to his room he finds his boudoire changed completely into a wild forest. After hopping a nearby boat and traveling, "In and out of weeks and almost over a year to where the wild things are" he is in a land of monsters. Taming them by staring them down, the Wild Things make Max their king and celebrate his crowning. Max proclaims that a wild rumpus should start, and start it does. When it ends, however, Max decides that he needs to be near someone who loves him. He leaves his beloved Wild Things, sails back into his room, and goes down to dinner where, on a single white page, we are told, "it was still hot".
Simultaneously combining the wish to be a wild naughty creature uninhibited by love, or rules, or society and at the same time revealing the human need for comfort, the book is a success. In its illustrations, those wild crazy creatures with their too large eyes and sharp razor-like claws, it is a success. In its text, the elegantly presented last line or the repetition of wild things saying "I'll eat you up", it is a success. Heck, the book is good. And really, what more is there to say? Reviewing classics like this one is a pointless job. I'm not going to be shocking and say that every reviewer since the 1960s is wrong about this book, cause they're not. They're right, it's great. Does it deserve the huge publicity and love its garnered? Maybe. Maybe not. But the adults like it and the kids like it, and that is (as they say) enough. So take it home and love it yourself. It is a great book.
Book Review: a few issues for parents to explain to kids...
Summary: 4 Stars
I grew up with this book but hadn't read it for many years.
When I read it to my 3 year-old there were a few issues. First, you can tell it is dated because the boy is punished and sent to his room without dinner. This is not a current trend that the parenting experts advise. In our house we don't punish by withholding food, so my son was a little confused. My son also didn't understand what the boy did that was so bad that he had to stay in his room alone. In today's time of the time-out or the "let's discuss your behavior" method, this punishment seems outdated.
Thanks to watching an episode of Scooby-Doo, my son is afraid of monsters and I've been telling him there is no such thing. So here comes this book and here are the monsters. Even though they are funny and good monsters, I was faced with telling my son these monsters were good but then trying to say that there is no such thing. I made up the storyline that he had fallen asleep and he dreamed of the monsters. The illustrations are fun for me to see and we talked about what the silly monsters were doing. I recommend that the parent read it alone first and think about how you want to present these issues to your children before siting down with them to read it to them. I wish I had done that!
Update: The son I referenced above is now ten years old. He did go on to love this book when he was a bit older. My younger son also loves the story and always has. I guess this is a case of how each book affects different kids differently. As well it is an example of a book not clicking with a child at one age but the book is sometimes better for that child when they are a bit older.
I have since seen this book referenced in book discussions, with adults analyzing the content to the minutae. I don't know if they are right or wrong or if it even matters.
What I can report at this point in time in the year 2007 is that both of my kids love this book now and when they see the cover they say, "Oh! That book!" and they want to read it again. So perhaps this story also appeals to children in a way that we adults may not ever fully understand. And other adults may like the book for reasons that are different than the children's.
Sendak is a favorite author and illustrator in our family. Chicken Soup with Rice is one that my kids are wild about.
Book Review: Ingeniously Imaginative Mischievousness
Summary: 5 Stars
Winner, in 1964, of the Caldecott Medal for the Most Distinguished Picture Book of the Year, Where The Wild Things Are, by celebrated author-illustrator Maurice Sendak, was one of my favorite picture books as a kid and remains so to this day. I have two nephews now, and I can't wait `til they're a little older so I can share Where The Wild Things Are with them. Both the book and its author deserve every word of praise and every award they have earned in the last thirty-six years. At the warm heart of Where The Wild Things Are is a boy named Max, who is determined to have as much fun as possible, even if having that fun means wreaking havoc throughout the house. Before long, Max is, understandably, sent to his room without any supper for running wild and making so much mischief. What's a boy sent to his room to do? Why, go where the wild things are, of course! As if by magic, Max's room transforms into a forest that grows and grows by leaps and bounds. Then, an ocean tumbles by, complete with a private boat for a delight-ed Max. Max hops in his private boat and sails to the land where the wild things are and where a glorious destiny awaits him. After raising a ruckus with the fearsome creatures that are the wild things, Max begins to feel lonely, so he sails for home. And there, on the table by his bed, a surprise that is a testament to a mother's love for her son, awaits. No matter how old you are, the excitement of the story of Where The Wild Things Are is infectious and will hold you as well as your kids enthralled. The story is accompanied by artwork that is as imaginative as it is richly detailed, and that compliments the delightful story on the perfect note. I would also venture to add that Mr. Sendak's understated use of color throughout the book makes his pictures all the more vivid and exciting; each one seems to jump right off the page with a life of its own. Where The Wild Things Are truly is a delightful treasure, and will serve as an on-going testament to the power of the imagination whether you are young or old. Treat yourself and your kids to a copy of Where The Wild Things Are. While you're in the market for picture books, I would also highly recommend The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg, Miss Spider's Wedding by David Kirk, God Bless The Gargoyles by Dav Pilkey and Night Of The Gargoyles by Eve Bunting. Enjoy!Book Review: Forgiveness without remorse
Summary: 4 Stars
Briefly, the story revolves around Max, a young boy who behaves naughtily and is sent to bed without supper. In his room, he is transported to another world "where the wild things are" where he is made king of the wild things. After having his fill of leading the wild things, he returns to his room to find his supper left on his dresser.
This story strikes an interesting balance between the real world of Max and his family and Max's dream world "where the wild things are". Whereas in the former world his actions are seen as naughty and are decried, the dream world provides Max not only with the ability to act in the way he wants but also to have those actions sanctioned and praised by those around him.
Beyond that, even, is the amount of control Max can exert in each world. The real world limits him and he is almost totally at the mercy of his parents who send him to his room. In the wild world, even before he becomes king of the wild things, he is able to control the other wild things and his power is unlimited. An interesting question to ask is whether Max would be as naughty as he is if he believed himself to have more power in the real world.
The conclusion of the story seems to come mostly as the author stumbles over himself to wrap up the story. It is unclear why the angry parents would reward Max's behavior or why they would negate the punishment meted out at the beginning of the story. I found the warm supper waiting for Max upon his return from the wild world to be somewhat out of place. I understand, perhaps, that even bad kids are loved and that may be the moral being taught here, but it is strange that Max just receives the food out of the blue with no remorse on his part.
The book is a fun story and holds the attention of my 3 year old. He loves when I improvise the roaring and gnashing. Throwing in a little Troggs "Wild Thing" during the rumpus makes story time a little bit more fun too. I don't think the strange lesson at the end ruins the story, and I'm not sure that the target audience of this book would be able to figure it out in the first place. 4 stars for a fun book that holds kids' attentions.