Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Summary: 
Max is sent to bed without supper and imagines sailing away to the land of Wild Things,where he is made king.

Genre: Fantasy

About the Author: 
For more than forty years, the books Maurice Sendak has written and illustrated have nurtured children and adults alike and have challenged established ideas about what children's literature is and should be. The New York Times has recognized that Sendak's work "has brought a new dimension to the American children's book and has helped to change how people visualize childhood." Parenting recently described Sendak as "indisputably, the most revolutionary force in children's books."

Activities: 
Instruct students to make a list of the “mischief” Max did at the beginning of the book. Then encourage them to write an apology letter from Max to his mother. Select several students to read their notes aloud, and ask which one the class thinks would be most likely to satisfy Max’s mother. (Respect)

Put on some music and let students pretend to be one of the monsters in the book as they dance to the music. One student at a time can act like Max, King of the Wild Things, but this role should change periodically so that several students get a chance to play the part.


Personal Response: 
This was my favorite childhood book. I love the illustrations and story line.

Citation: 
Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are. New York: HarperCollins Children's Books.