Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak is a children's picture book originally published by Harper & Row. Although just ten sentences long, the book is generally regarded as a classic of American illustrated children's literature. Written in 1963, it was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1964. It also won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award and was an ALA Notable Book.


The book tells the story of Max, who one evening plays around his home, "making mischief" in a wolf costume (chasing the dog with a fork, etc.). As punishment, his mother sends him to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious, wild forest grows out of his imagination and Max journeys to the land of the Wild Things. They are fearsome-looking monsters, but Max conquers them with a scary look and he is made the King of all Wild Things. However, he soon finds himself lonely and homesick, and he returns home to his bedroom. He finds his supper waiting for him ... "And it was still hot."
The original concept for the book featured horses instead of monsters. Sendak said he switched when he discovered that he could not draw horses.
The Wild Things (except "Goat Boy", of course) were named after (and are presumably caricatures of) Maurice's aunts and uncles:
Aaron, Bernard, Emil, Moishe and Tzippy.


**A live-action movie version is currently in post-production, with Spike Jonze directing, due in 2009. Featuring Catherine Keener, Forest Whitaker and Australian actor Angus Sampson. Adapted by Dave Eggers and Jonze.