Where The Wild Things Are
Where The Wild Things Are Book Summary
“Where the Wild Things Are” is told from the first-person point of view of the main character, Max. Max is a young boy who becomes the king of a land of wild creatures known as the Wild Things. The Wild Things are large, ferocious-looking creatures with long tails and fangs, but they are also quite playful and have a childlike quality. They are loyal to Max and follow him as their leader, but they also test his authority at times and challenge his decisions.
The story follows Max’s adventures with the Wild Things and his eventual return home to his bedroom.
Through the story, children can learn the importance of responsibility and the value of family and home.
Through his adventures with the Wild Things, Max learns that being a community leader comes with certain responsibilities, such as being fair and considerate of others, and that it is important to find a balance between his own desires and the needs of others.
Max also learns that, despite the excitement and freedom that can come with exploring new places and experiences, there is also comfort and security to be found in the familiar surroundings of home and family.
Ultimately, the story suggests that it is possible to find adventure and fulfillment within the boundaries of responsibility and the bonds of family.
Where The Wild Things Are Movie
The movie trailer below includes a link at the end of the trailer to where you can buy or rent the movie.
I probably shouldn’t be providing this link below as it’s a source online where the user can stream the movie for free! Don’t judge me! It’s someone else’s site and link, I’m just sharing it!
Movie Link: Streaming movies online.
Interesting Details of The Wild Things Movie
- Where the Wild Things Are is a fantasy adventure drama film directed by Spike Jonze and released in 2009.
- The film is based on Maurice Sendak’s 1963 children’s book of the same name and combines live-action, performers in costumes, animatronics, and computer-generated imagery (CGI).
- The film stars Max Records, Catherine Keener, and Mark Ruffalo, and features the voices of Lauren Ambrose, Chris Cooper, James Gandolfini, Catherine O’Hara, and Forest Whitaker.
- The film centers on a lonely young boy named Max who sails away to an island inhabited by creatures known as the “Wild Things,” who declare Max, their king.
- The film was co-produced by actor Tom Hanks through his production company Playtone and made with an estimated budget of $100 million. It was a joint production between Australia, Germany, and the United States, and was filmed principally in Melbourne.
- Where the Wild Things Are was released on October 16, 2009, in the United States, December 3, in Australia, and December 17, in Germany.
- The film received positive reviews and appeared on many year-end top ten lists, but it was a financial disappointment, grossing just $100 million against its production budget of $100 million. It was released on DVD and Blu-ray on March 2, 2010.
Where The Wild Things Are Characters (Movie Characters)
Human Characters
- Max is the main character and protagonist of the film, a young boy who becomes the king of the Wild Things.
- Connie is Max’s mother, who is concerned about his behavior and tries to find ways to connect with him.
- Claire is Max’s older sister, who is often busy with her own activities and does not pay much attention to him.
Wild Thing Characters
- Carol is a large and fierce-looking Wild Thing with a wild mane of fur who is initially hostile to Max but becomes his closest ally and friend.
- KW is a small and timid Wild Thing with a round, fluffy body and big eyes who is initially drawn to Max but later becomes jealous of his attention.
- Judith is a Wild Thing with a sharp, angular appearance and a fierce personality who is initially skeptical of Max but eventually comes to respect him.
- Ira is a Wild Thing with a calm and dignified demeanor and a wise and thoughtful member of the community.
- Douglas is a Wild Thing with a mischievous and playful personality who enjoys causing trouble and challenging authority.
- Alexander is a Wild Thing with a gentle and sensitive personality who is easily upset and prone to tears.
- Bernard the Bull is a Wild Thing with a strong and boisterous personality who is a bit of a bully but also has a soft side.
Where The Wild Things Are Book Reading Level
“Where the Wild Things Are” is a beloved children’s book that is perfect for young readers in the kindergarten to third grade age range. This 48-page book features engaging storylines, lovable characters, and colorful illustrations that kids aged 1 to 5 will love. According to customers, this book is a hit with young children and is a great choice for kids who are just learning to read and are looking for an enjoyable story to help them develop their literacy skills.
“Where the Wild Things Are” is also highly popular, with a spot on the New York Public Library’s list of the “Top Check Outs of All Time” at number four.
If you’re looking for a book that will delight your child and help them build their reading skills, “Where the Wild Things Are” is an excellent choice.
Where The Wild Things Are Story Characters
“Where the Wild Things Are” is a classic children’s book that tells the story of Max, a young boy who becomes the king of a land of wild creatures known as the Wild Things. The book is a fun and imaginative read for young kids, with engaging storylines and lovable characters.
The movie goes into more detail in regard to character names and character development. The book does not name the monsters, with Max being the only character named.
Characters in the book include:
- Max – A little boy who is the protagonist of the story.
- Max’s mother
- The Wild Things
About Children’s Book Author Maurice Sendak
Maurice Sendak is a legendary figure in children’s literature, known for his imaginative and emotive illustrations and his ability to bring to life a world of fantasy and imagination.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Polish-Jewish immigrant parents, Sendak was a frail and sickly child who turned to books and drawing at an early age. He began his career as a window display designer and a freelance illustrator for various publishers before starting to create his children’s books in the 1950s.
His work gained widespread recognition with the publication of “Where the Wild Things Are” in 1963, which became a classic of children’s literature and was awarded the Caldecott Medal.
Throughout his career, Sendak produced numerous children’s books inspired by his own childhood experiences and the stories and folktales of his Eastern European heritage. He was known for his distinctive and often controversial style, which featured expressive and emotive characters and explored themes of loss, death, and childhood imagination.
In addition to his work as a writer and illustrator of children’s books, Sendak also produced around a dozen operas and ballets for television and the stage. He received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration, the National Book Award, and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.
Sendak died in 2012 at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential and beloved figures in children’s literature.
Credit Source: PBS.org
For more information about Maurice Sendak and his books, please visit his website at The Maurice Sendak Foundation
https://www.sendakfoundation.org/.
You can also read about him on this Wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Sendak.
Maurice Sendak Books
Maurice Sendak is a renowned author and illustrator best known for his children’s books, including “Where the Wild Things Are” and “In the Night Kitchen.” He received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including the Caldecott Medal and the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration. Some of his other notable books include:
- Kenny’s Window: A boy imagines different adventures through the window of his house.
- Very Far Away: A young boy travels to various imaginative places.
- The Sign on Rosie’s Door: A girl pretends to have various professions and asks her friends to visit her “office.”
- Nutshell Library: A collection of four small books with simple stories and illustrations.
- Including Pierre: A boy imagines himself as different animals.
- Chicken Soup with Rice: A book of poems about the months of the year, each centered around the theme of chicken soup with rice.
- Alligators All Around: A book of poems about alligators in various settings and activities.
- One Was Johnny: A boy who counts to ten and imagines himself in different locations for each number.
- Where the Wild Things Are: A boy named Max travels to a land of wild creatures and becomes their king.
- Higglety Pigglety Pop!: A dog named Jennie sets off on a journey to find something to do.
- There Must Be More to Life: A boy who is bored with his mundane life sets off on an adventure.
- In the Night Kitchen: A boy named Mickey falls out of his bed and into a world of baking where he helps make a cake.
- Really Rosie: A young girl named Rosie puts on a show with her friends in her backyard.
- Starring the Nutshell Kids: A collection of short stories featuring the Nutshell Kids characters.
- Some Swell Pup: A girl named Emily gets a new dog and must learn how to take care of it.
- Are You Sure You Want a Dog?: A family considers getting a dog and the responsibilities that come with pet ownership.
- Seven Little Monsters: Seven monsters with unique personalities have adventures.
- Outside Over There: A girl named Ida must rescue her baby sister from goblins.
- Caldecott & Co.: A collection of illustrations and stories by various children’s book authors and illustrators, including Maurice Sendak.
- We Are All in the Dumps with Jack and Guy: A book of poems about homelessness and poverty.
- Bumble-Ardy: A pig named Bumble throws a wild party while his family is away.
- My Brother’s Book: A tribute to Maurice Sendak’s late brother and a reflection on their relationship.
Sendak’s work has left a lasting impact on children’s literature and has inspired countless readers and artists worldwide.
Here is a link to his foundation, where they have a page on books written and illustrated by Mr.Sendak https://www.sendakfoundation.org/works/books
Where to Buy The Where the Wild Things Are Book
The Where The Wild Things Are book is available on Amazon for audiobook, hardcover, paperback, and audio, cassette. This link below leads to the hardcover edition, but all options are available on the landing page.
| Amaon.com (Hardcover) | Where the Wild Things Are Hardcover – December 26, 2012 |
| Authors Amazon BIO Page | Purchase More Maurice Sendak Books on Amazon |
Book Details
Publisher: HarperCollins; 25th Anniversary ed. edition (December 26, 2012)
Language: English
Hardcover: 48 pages
ISBN-10: 0060254920
Reading age: 1 – 5 years, from customers
Lexile measure: AD740L
Item Weight: 14.4 ounces
Dimensions: 9.24 x 10.4 x 0.43 inches
Where the Wild Things Are Reviews
At the time of this writing, there were nearly 37,000 costomer reviews on Amazon with a star rating of 4.9 out of 5, with 93% of reviewers giving the book a 5-star rating. Below are a few of the top reviews of the book.
Best book
– By Louise
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2022
I bought this book for my nephew who lives in another state it was suppose to be wraped and go under the tree oh well – he loved it – came across an article about the brooklyn library that has been around for 125 years they took a survey I think and this book came up the most popular and checked out book and a favorite by teachers
A true classic
– By Timothy W. Elliott
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2022
Everyone needs this book ! From the wonderful story to Maurice Sendak’s amazing art , it all adds up to the perfect children’s book. A book that celebrates imagination and childhood.
Who doesn’t LOVE this book!?
– By Cynthia C.
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2022
Got for: 6 years old, Difficulty level: Easy
When I was a child, this was my favorite book. Now, I am very excited that I get to read it to my kids. The kids are very excited as well! We plan to watch the movie this weekend as well!
Turkey Trouble Read Aloud
Below are three excellent videos of Where The Wild Things Are read aloud, with each reading having something to offer.
This is a 4:27 reading of the book by a female narrator with background music, and sound effects.
“WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE” story and pictures by Maurice Sendak – Read-Aloud by Enchanted Storyboat.
This is a 6:19 traditional read-aloud version of the book by Mr. Peach.
This is an animated version of the book read aloud book with great sound effects! This is a 3:22 video by the creator, “Animated Children’s Books.”
