Picture Book 5

Title: Where the Wild Things are

Author: Maurice Sendak

Illustrator: Maurice Sendak

Genre: Children’s Literature, Fantasy Fiction

Subgenre: Picture book

Theme: Imagination, Unconditional Love

Primary & Secondary characters: Max, Wild Things

Date of publication: 1963

Award Won: Caldecott Medal, 1964

Publishing Company:  HarperCollinsPublishers

Summary: Where the Wild Things are is a book of creativity and imagination. The book tells a story of a young boy named Max who tends to get into mischief because of his extremely adventurous mentality. In the beginning of the story, he is sent to his room without supper because of his mischievousness. In his room, a forest grew along with an ocean with its very own private boat for Max. He sails away to the land of the Wild Things. Max’s imagination gives himself the identity of “the king of all wild things”. At the end of the story, he finds himself homesick and returns home to his bedroom where he finds his supper waiting for him and it is still hot.

I would use this book in my classroom to encourage creativity and for the students to use their imagination. The illustrations in this book not only add emotion and excitement to the reading, but it keeps children engaged by wondering what is going to happen next? Is Max going to live there? Will he go back home?