Where The Wild Things Are

Title: Where The Wild Things Are
ISBN:978-0-06-443178-1
Author and Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
Date of publication:1963
Award won: The Caldecott Medal
Age recommendation: Read aloud age 2, read alone age 6
Group represented: Caucasians

Brief Summary:
The book takes place in the bedroom of a young boy named Max. He was sent to bed without supper because he had gotten into mischief as all little boys get into at one time or another. After Max was sent to bed a forest grew in his bedroom. He sailed away to where the wild things are. Max mesmerized the Wild Things with his weapon of staring into their eyes. The Wild Things loved Max and made him their king. Max played with the Wild Things for a long time having fun. Then he told them all to stop being so wild and sent them to be without supper just as his mom had done to him. Max became lonely and missed his loved ones. He told the Wild Things that he was leaving, they were upset, but he sailed away anyways back to his room where he found his warm dinner waiting for him.

This book could facilitate discussions with students about how parents punish their children because they love them. Parents set limits for children to teach them how to behave and for their safety. Children may get upset with their parents because of these rules, but in the end the children know their parents love them. Some children get mad and want to run away from home. It can be lonely and scary when you are away from home and not as fun as you originally thought. Children could tell stories about rules that their parent's make them follow.