 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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Where the Wild Things Are
- By Maurice Sendak
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Classic all-ages masterpiece with a wild imagination.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
Wild child Max gets sent to bed without his supper after threatening to eat his mom. Well, he'll show her, right? In his room -- or, at least, in his mind -- a forest grows. Max boards a ship that takes him across oceans and days to the home of the wild things, which threaten him with snarls and claws and eye-rolling. Does this frighten our little wolf-boy? Of course not! Max hypnotizes the monsters, who declare him the most wild thing of all. Max joins in on the fun but quickly bores of the new adventure and sails back home -- to find supper in his room, still hot!
Is it any good?
This wonderful book is arguably Sendak's best work -- and one of the true classics of children's literature. Perhaps the most appealing element is the wordless series of illustrations in which, after Max begins the "wild rumpus," he and his new friends dance and cavort through six pages of some of the most whimsical, enchanting, and unique artwork in children's literature. The message of unconditional parental love is reassuring to young ones and a perfect ending to the story.
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 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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AGE
One of the best children's books out there!
It's perfect for kids of all ages. This is an amazing book that you'll never outgrow.
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AGE
Masterpiece...
The only bad things in this book are Max doing tons of horrible things. That is all I have to say about this wonderful book.
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AGE
Good!
I was never a huge fan of this book and as a young child, the monsters kind of scared me even though they were supposed to be kind monsters. It is classic, however, and no child should miss out on it.
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AGE
A wild adventure for all to enjoy!
Where the Wild Things Are brings an audience of all ages to a world of fantasy as author Maurice Sendak sends young Max on an adventure through reality and the imagination using keen simplicity in his words and unique energy in his illustrations. Hungry and fully dressed in his wolf suit, Max finds himself grounded to his room, after causing too much mischief around the house. The physical walls of the bedroom are of no restraint to the wild boy’s behavior as he turns his room into a thrilling world full of lush vines, deep blue oceans, and wild monsters. Max becomes wilder than all of the wild things and runs with the monsters making a rumpus through the land, until loosing interest in his untamed behavior by the thoughts of home. Sendak brings wild adventure for children and a lasting thought of home for all.
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AGE
One of the best children't books.
I always loved this book when i was younger. It's not that scary; but the 'wild things' might be too scary for younger kids.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 18, 2009
AGE
great for everyone!
i love this book. could be the best book ever.
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AGE
My fav show! They absolutely must bring it back for a second season. Mild violence is as far as it goes and is recommended for anyone who craves a good thriller.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
I read this in Elementary School!
Max is a good boy! He just wants to hang out with the Wild Things!
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Kid, 11 years old
July 1, 2010
AGE
Classic.
I remember reading this in grade 1,i loved it and i still do.
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| Author: | Maurice Sendak |
| Illustrator: | Maurice Sendak |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | HarperTrophy |
| Publication date: | December 31, 1969 |
| Number of pages: | 38 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.95 |
| Paperback price: | $7.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 7 |
| Read aloud: | 2 |
| Read alone: | 6 |
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