Where the Wild Things Are

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are. NY: HarperCollins.

About the Book

Max causes mischief in his house. His mother has had enough and sends him to his room. While he is in his room his imagination goes wild. He dreams his bedroom turns into a forest and he sails across the ocean to the place where wild things live. He tames the wild things and plays with them. All the animals participate in a wild rumpus with Max. As time passes he becomes lonely and hungry. He returns to his room and has a nice warm meal waiting for him.

The book won a Caldecott Medal.

Visual Elements of Art Evaluation

Painterly Technique – The drawings in the book are created using a technique of cross hatching with paper and ink over colored paint. The illustrator uses great care to use less vibrant colors in the real world and more vivid colors in the dream world. 

Literature Evaluative Criteria

Plot – I think the book depicts Max’s conflict with his surroundings. At the beginning he is having conflict with his mother and she sends him to his room. Where his imagination and dream world goes wild. At first he is happy to be in charge and boss all the monsters around, but by the end of the story he grows tired of being alone. He returns home happy to have dinner hot and ready for him. I think this shows his coming to terms with his power struggle with his mother.