Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are. New York: Harper & Row.

Where The Wild Things Are tells the story of a boy named Max, who is making mischief throughout his house. After being sent to his room without dinner for chasing the dog around the house with a fork, Max escapes to an imaginary land. Max is seen throughout the book wearing a wolf suit, a king's crown, and a mischievous grin. His room transforms into a new world with creatures named the Wild Things, where he is soon made king. Max is in control of his life in the land of the Wild Things, but soon finds himself homesick and yearning to go back home to eat his mother's supper. He leaves the land of the Wild Things, even though the wild things beg him to stay and return home. At home he finds a hot plate of dinner waiting for him.

While I think the illustrations further the reader's understanding of the story, I'm not a fan of the muted colors used. I think the illustration are well done and convey sense of imagination and wonder, but I think the colors should be more vivid. With that said, I do love this story. It sends a message that a person's imagination is important, but in the end you must always come back to reality. 

This classic tale would be perfect for readers theater. It could also be used as a supplemental book in a unit based on the Bridge to Terabithia; both books focus on escaping to a imaginary world. With that said, I would use this book for visualization. Students would need to create their own world by illustrating and writing about it. Due to the book's content and  easy connections with other literature, I believe this book can be read through middle school. 

Some important themes to focus on!
Here are some potential activities!