Summary

Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak's beloved children's picture book, has captivated readers young and old since its publication in 1963. This iconic story about a mischievous boy named Max and his imaginative journey to a fantastical land of wild creatures has become one of the most acclaimed and cherished works of children's literature.

Sendak's groundbreaking book won the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1964 and has gone on to sell over 19 million copies worldwide. It consistently ranks among the most popular and influential children's books of all time, appearing on numerous “best of” lists and topping surveys of educators and librarians. The evocative illustrations and spare yet powerful text have made a lasting impact on readers for generations.

While Where the Wild Things Are has inspired many adaptations over the years, perhaps the most famous is the 2009 live-action feature film directed by Spike Jonze. The movie, which Sendak co-produced, brought the wild rumpus to life on the big screen and introduced Max's adventure to a new generation of fans. 

Plot

In Where the Wild Things Are, young Max is sent to bed without supper after causing mischief while dressed in his wolf costume. As he lies in his room, a mysterious forest begins to grow around him.

Max then sails away to a distant land inhabited by fearsome creatures called the Wild Things. Despite their terrifying appearance, Max is unafraid and stares them down. Impressed by his courage, the Wild Things make Max their king.

As their new ruler, Max declares “Let the wild rumpus start!” and joins the Wild Things in boisterous play and celebration. However, Max eventually grows lonely and homesick, deciding to give up his crown and return home.

Though the Wild Things beg him to stay, Max sails back across the sea to his bedroom. There he finds his supper waiting for him, still hot - a sign of his mother's enduring love despite his earlier misbehavior.

Themes

• Power of imagination

• Childhood anger and emotions

• Parent-child relationships

• Independence and adventure

• Facing fears and overcoming challenges

• Loneliness and the need for connection

• Return to safety and comfort of home

Setting

Where the Wild Things Are is set in an unspecified era, likely contemporary to its 1963 publication date. The story takes place in two distinct settings: Max's home and the fantastical world of the Wild Things. While the exact time period is not explicitly stated, the domestic scenes suggest a mid-20th century suburban American household.

Max's journey begins in his bedroom, a familiar and confined space that transforms into a lush forest. This magical transition blurs the line between reality and imagination, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The forest grows until it encompasses an ocean, which Max sails across to reach the land of the Wild Things.

Characters

• Max: The main character and protagonist. Max is a young boy with a wild imagination who dresses up in a wolf costume. After misbehaving and being sent to bed without supper, he imagines sailing to a fantastical land where he becomes king of the Wild Things. Max ultimately chooses to return home to where he is loved best.

• The Wild Things: The large monstrous creatures Max encounters on his imaginary journey. They have terrible claws and teeth but accept Max as their king. The Wild Things represent Max's emotions and inner wildness that he learns to control.

• Max's Mother: A minor character who sends Max to bed without supper when he misbehaves. Her love for Max is symbolized by the hot supper waiting for him when he returns from his adventure.

Quick facts

• The “Wild Things” were originally supposed to be wild horses, but Sendak realized he couldn't draw horses well.

• The monsters were inspired by Sendak's Polish-Jewish relatives who would visit his family on Sundays.

• It took Sendak about 3 years to complete the illustrations for the book.

• The book was initially considered too frightening for children by some librarians and critics.

• President Obama read the book aloud at the White House Easter Egg Roll multiple years.

• An animated short film adaptation was released in 1973, with an updated version in 1988.

• The book was adapted into an opera in the 1980s, with music by Oliver Knussen.

• A live-action film version directed by Spike Jonze was released in 2009.

• The book has sold over 19 million copies worldwide as of 2009.

• It was ranked #4 on the New York Public Library's list of Top Check Outs of All Time.

About the Author

Maurice Sendak was one of the most influential children's book authors and illustrators of the 20th century. Born in 1928 to Polish-Jewish immigrant parents in Brooklyn, Sendak decided to become an illustrator after seeing Walt Disney's Fantasia as a child. He began his career illustrating other authors' works in the 1950s before writing and illustrating his own stories. Sendak's 1963 book Where the Wild Things Are became a groundbreaking and beloved classic that revolutionized children's literature.

Sendak's work often explored complex themes and emotions in children's lives that were previously considered taboo for young readers. His illustrations featured grotesque yet endearing monsters and characters that both fascinated and frightened children. Beyond books, Sendak also designed sets and costumes for operas and ballets, including productions of Mozart's The Magic Flute and Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. He received numerous prestigious awards over his career, including the Caldecott Medal, Hans Christian Andersen Award, and National Medal of Arts.

Though Sendak kept his personal life private for many years, he came out publicly as gay in 2008 at age 80. He had lived with his partner, psychoanalyst Eugene Glynn, for over 50 years before Glynn's death in 2007. Sendak was an atheist and once said that religion and belief in God “must have made life much easier” for some of his religious friends. He maintained a residence in New York City but lived primarily in Ridgefield, Connecticut in his later years.

Maurice Sendak died in 2012 at age 83 from complications of a stroke. His final book, Bumble-Ardy, was published just eight months before his death, and a posthumous work called My Brother's Book was released in 2013. Sendak left the bulk of his artistic and literary estate to the Maurice Sendak Foundation, which continues to steward his legacy. In 2018, the foundation chose the University of Connecticut to house Sendak's vast collection of artwork, sketches, manuscripts and ephemera to preserve it for future generations of scholars and admirers.