In the Night Kitchen

Book review by Peter Lewis, Common Sense Media
In the Night Kitchen Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 4+

Sendak's timeless nursery rhyme is a joyride.

Maurice Sendak Fantasy 1970
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Parents say

age 4+

Based on 4 reviews

Kids say

age 6+

Based on 2 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this story raised a minor furor when it was published 30 years ago because it showed a little boy's penis (hardly graphic, just a loop of a line) -- which served only to draw attention to this marvelous picture book. Sendak's artwork is boldly expressive and adds to the story's momentum. The unpredictability of the language will challenge older kids.

Community Reviews

ladypolf
ladypolf Adult
July 7, 2022
age 4+

Why tho?

Whimsical and sweet, but it was a strange surprise to see the main character nude on several pages (albeit lacking in detail). Why not just let him keeps his pjs on, lol? Seems like this book would have been a much wider known classic without the unnecessary flashing. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It's worth noting that while some parent reviews on here don't see this as a big deal, there's also reviews from kids describing it as making them uncomfortable.
CSM Screen Name 244957
CSM Screen Name 244957 Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

I remember reading it when I was a child

When I was a child this was on my list of most favorite titles. I can see how some people such as those who have never traveled out of the US would see this as containing inapropriate material. So Mikey is naked in this book...Big Deal!!! It is the way we were created. This book is clean and aprpriate for children of all ages.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Maurice Sendak takes children for a joyride in this timeless nursery rhyme featuring Mickey, who tumbles from bed into the baker's night kitchen. Mickey's exploration of the strange night world is so vividly drawn readers almost live the dream, before returning safely to bed.

Is It Any Good?

Like a memorable nursery rhyme, Sendak's story can be a quick and easy experience, but probably even young readers will be drawn to ponder its suggestiveness. Mickey's experience comes full circle -- bed to kitchen to bed -- which gives the verse a sense of completion, though the text has some curious turnings: "Then Mickey in dough was just on his way."

Some of the book's artwork is set in multiple panels to a page, a handsome screen of images that feels like a dance sequence, following Mickey's actions as set against a panorama of the city at night, a city of saltcellar, milk carton, and egg-beater architecture.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Mickey's nighttime journey. What lures him into the kitchen in the first place? What makes him want to keep exploring the strange nighttime landscape?

Book Details

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