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Where the Wild Things Are

(1963, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Maurice Sendak, Illustrated by Maurice Sendak)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 0; suggested age 2.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    Classic all-ages masterpiece with a wild imagination.

Themes in this book include:   family relationships, growing up
updated 10.07.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 2 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    A good lesson in the power of imagination.

  • Messages:

    Strong themes of unconditional parental love and imagination.

  • Role models:

    Max is a great model of a boy using his imagination. He misbehaves around the house and is sent to his room without any supper. He also sends the wild things to bed without supper. Perhaps his behavior toward the monsters means he understands why he was punished, making it a touching gesture when his dinner is waiting for him in his room.

  • Illustrations:

    There's a reason why this won the Caldecott Medal. Sendak's giant monster characters are iconic. While they are described as scary in the book, their faces and lumbering frames make them appear almost jovial. You can almost feel the room shake when you watch them cavort in the forest. Max and his new friends dance and cavort through six pages of some of the most whimsical, enchanting, and unique artwork in children's literature.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Max threatens to eat up his parents and the wild things. The wild things gnash their teeth and pretend to be scary but they have rather goofy, kind faces and Max isn't afraid of them.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Where the Wild Things Are

Parents need to know that, though Max misbehaves, the message is one of parental love. This subtle masterpiece of story, writing, and art will have kids asking for repeated readings. Colorful language and a world of imagination make this wild adventure a fun learning experience.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Max's behavior. Why does Max act the way he does?
  • If he loves adventure so much, why does he go back to his parents?
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Our Members Say

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See all 13 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    CSM Screen name ...
    Lives in Nebraska
    I rate this title and give it 0.0

    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    munkeyluv
    I rate this title iffy for age 3 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Great illustrations

    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    missem98
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    tweensand toddeler are dorks

    hate it it had to much violent language

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Parent Reviewer
    somdays
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Great illustrations

    Fun story that opens to door to so many conversations

    This is one of my all time favorite books from my childhood and I love reading it to my children and using it to teach in my classroom. Max is a character that many children can relate to and opens the door for teaching children responsible behavior as well as using their imaginations. In the end, the message of the story is one of family love.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    code2264
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    VERY GOOD! MUY BUENO!

    a very good book

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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