Where the Wild Things Are

The wild things--with their mismatched parts and giant eyes--manage somehow to be scary-looking without ever really being scary; at times they're downright hilarious. Sendak's defiantly run-on sentences--one of his trademarks--lend the perfect touch of stream of consciousness to the tale, which floats between the land of dreams and a child's imagination.

This Sendak classic is more fun than you've ever had in a wolf suit, and it manages to reaffirm the notion that there's no place like home.

This is a classic written in 1963 by Maurice Sendak. The New York Times claimed that Maurice Sendak was "one of the most powerful men in the US" because he was able to help shape the fantasies of millions of children. The illustrations in this book are startling and amazing. This would be a great book even if it didn't have any words, the pictures alone are great. This book was the winner of the Caladecott Medal for the Most Distinguished Picture Book of the year.

This is a great story that both adults and children will enjoy alike. But I would recommend it for kids ages 6 and under. My son is always asking to read this book at bed time.


A Must-Have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   December 5, 2007
28 out of 28 found this review helpful


This is a story of a very bad boy's day of imaginative roll playing and final acceptance of his place in the real world. I love reading it to my little siblings and watching as their little faces lit up in recognition of adventures they had endured during their own periods of bad behavior... Check it out and get it for your brother or your listtle sister. Another MUST HAVE for older kids is the series Why Some Cats are Rascals, Book 2 by Nowiki. Very captivating and touching stories showing the world with cats eyes



not as good as new books   June 18, 2004
26 out of 63 found this review helpful

I am almost 7 and my teachre said we have to say why we like a lot of books or do not like a lot of books this summer on amazon and then print out them and give them to our new teacher next year So I am starting with this book.

My dad reelly likes this book because he said it was good when he was a kid. I dont like it. The pictures are boring and the story is not long. My dad reads this to me a lot and I like the books that are newer. New books have pictures that are pretty and the storys are funner and longer. This book has pictures that look old. I wish my dad would read this to himself and let me read something diferent. Nichole


A great book for young children to read or have read to them   February 18, 2000
David Pratter (Missoula, MT United States)
16 out of 19 found this review helpful

It is a great book! I am 19 and still enjoy the great illustrations. It reminds me of my days as a youth when I fantasized about being in total control in a whole different world when my parents sent me off to my room and I was mad because I was being punished and felt I didn't deserve to be sent to my room. I like how Max becomes king and all the monsters are nice to him, I think that the way the monsters react to Max tells kids that they don't have to be frightened. If you're a beginning reader, read it! If you're a parent of a young child, read it to them! The vocabulary is understanding, and Max's wild imagination is very heartwarming to anyone who reads it. If you're my age, just beginning your years as a young adult, perhaps you could consider writing a book like this. It's not very hard, everyone has a little creativity of their own. Nobody should miss out on this title, Maurice Sendak has always had great illustrations. My father read it to me as a little boy, and I wondered why the last page saying "and it was still hot." had no pictures.


A Story for the Ages   December 12, 1999
Donald Mitchell (Boston)
16 out of 18 found this review helpful

My two sons absolutely loved this book. They liked the idea of going 'where the wild things are' and the book inspired a lot of play in our house. The book nicely balances the child's need for imaginative thinking with a sense of limits, and the pleasures of home. The illustrations clearly make this book great, because they provide a launch pad for this imaginary place. This is one of a handful of books that will bond you with your child for the rest of your lives. Don't miss that opportunity!

Unlike some children's books which are a little boring for the adults to read after the 350th time, I always enjoyed this one because I could think new thoughts each time I read it.

I think this is one of the best five books for children.