Where the Wild Things Are facts for kids
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First edition cover
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| Author | Maurice Sendak |
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| Illustrator | Maurice Sendak |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's picture book |
| Publisher | Harper & Row |
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Publication date
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April 9, 1963 |
| Media type | Print (wide-format hardcover) |
| Pages | 40 |
| ISBN | 0-06-025492-0 (25th anniversary ed., 1988) |
| OCLC | 225496 |
| LC Class | PZ7.S47 Wh |
Where the Wild Things Are is a very famous children's picture book written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. It was first published in 1963 by Harper & Row. This book has been made into many other things, like an animated short film, an opera, and a live-action movie in 2009. By 2009, over 19 million copies of the book had been sold around the world.
Maurice Sendak won the important Caldecott Medal in 1964 for Where the Wild Things Are. This award is given to the "most distinguished American picture book for children" from the previous year. In 2012, a survey of School Library Journal readers voted it the number one picture book.
Contents
Story of Max and the Wild Things
This story is about a young boy named Max. One day, Max puts on his wolf costume and causes a lot of trouble at home. Because of this, he is sent to bed without his dinner.
While Max is in his room, something amazing happens. His bedroom starts to change into a jungle! Soon, he finds himself sailing across an ocean to an island. This island is home to some scary-looking creatures called the Wild Things.
Max is brave and manages to make the Wild Things afraid of him. Because of this, they make him their king! Max then has a super fun time playing and romping around with his new subjects.
However, after a while, Max starts to feel a bit lonely. He decides it's time to go home, even though the Wild Things are sad to see him leave. When Max returns to his bedroom, he finds a hot supper waiting for him.
Why This Book Is Important
When Where the Wild Things Are first came out, some people didn't like it. It was even banned in some libraries! But after about two years, librarians and teachers noticed something special. Kids absolutely loved the book and kept checking it out. Soon, critics also changed their minds.
Since then, the book has received a lot of praise. Many people say it's a great book because it helps children understand their feelings, especially anger. It shows how Max can be angry and go on an adventure, but still feel safe and loved at home.
The book was listed as one of the "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children" in a 2007 poll. Five years later, School Library Journal readers voted it the top picture book. Librarians said it was a "watershed" book, meaning it changed picture books forever. One reader called it "perfectly crafted, perfectly illustrated... simply the epitome of a picture book." Even President Barack Obama read it aloud at the White House Easter Egg Roll several times.
Even though the book is very popular, Maurice Sendak never wanted to write a sequel. He said it would be "the most boring idea imaginable." Where the Wild Things Are was also number four on the list of "Top Check Outs OF ALL TIME" at the New York Public Library.
Book Adaptations
Where the Wild Things Are has been brought to life in many different ways.
Animated Short Films
An animated short film based on the book was released on September 8, 1973. It took five years to make! There were two versions of this film. The first one from 1973 had narration by Allen Swift. An updated version came out on September 23, 1988, with new music and narration by Peter Schickele.
Opera
In the 1980s, Maurice Sendak worked with composer Oliver Knussen to create a children's opera based on the book. The opera was first performed in Brussels in 1980. The full version was first performed in London in 1984. It later came to the U.S. in 1985 and New York City in 1987.
Movie and Music
In 1983, Walt Disney Productions even used Where the Wild Things Are to test out new computer-generated imagery (CGI) technology.
In 1999, a musician named Isadar released a piano song called "Where the Wild Things Are." This song was inspired by Sendak's book. He re-recorded it in 2012.
The 2005 The Simpsons episode, "The Girl Who Slept Too Little", included a funny version of Where the Wild Things Are. It was called "The Land of the Wild Beasts."
A live-action movie version of the book was released on October 16, 2009. It was directed by Spike Jonze. Max Records played Max, and Catherine Keener played his mother. Famous actors like James Gandolfini and Forest Whitaker provided the voices for the Wild Things. The music for the movie was created by Karen O and Carter Burwell. Maurice Sendak himself was one of the producers for the film.
In 2012, the band alt-J released a song called "Breezeblocks." This song was partly inspired by the book. The band said the story and the song share ideas about saying goodbye to someone you care about.
In 2016, singer Alessia Cara released her song "Wild Things." She said she got the idea from Where the Wild Things Are. She explained that "each 'Thing' represents an emotion," and the main character "escapes into this world."
See also
In Spanish: Donde viven los monstruos para niños
