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Where the Wild Things Are. Based on the Screenplay by Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers
A beautiful retelling of the new movie based on the classic children's picture book. When Max runs away from his troubles at home, he finds himself in a mysterious forest filled with strange creatures - the land where the wild things are! When the wild things crown him their kind, he understands just how unpredictable life can be. Let the wild rumpus begin with this beautifully designed storybook, illustrated with stills from the movie. Created by McSweeney's, Dave Eggers' publishing company.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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119 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 27, 2019
Where the Wild Things Are written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak in 1963 was a Caldecott Medal winner the year after it was published. I treasured this book in elementary school when I played the lead in our school play (okay, co-lead with another kid so we didn't have to work too hard). I wrote a review a few years ago from memory, then explored it during my college years when I studied children's literature and language. Now, in August 2018, I'm hosting a Children's Book Readathon on my blog. Come check it out!
I read the book twice this week. Once to absorb it as a fresh set of eyes, then again to see what I liked and didn't like. On the whole, I still love it. I also see how it could encourage a few bad behaviors, but then again, so can movies, overhearing conversations, and music. Books are about learning. It's important to read them with a child at the appropriate age and use it was a way to teach what's wrong and right. For those reasons, I highly recommend sharing this with kids from 6 to 8. Younger might understand it. Older might find it amusing. But that's the sweet spot in my opinion.
Max doesn't like being told what to do. He just runs around a lot. I have a 5-month-old puppy named Baxter who's just like Max. I get frustrated, but I love him. I've put him in time-out. Max was sent to bed without supper. I can only imagine where Baxter goes in his imagination... if it's anything like where Max goes, we're in for trouble!
So glad to re-read this one!
I read the book twice this week. Once to absorb it as a fresh set of eyes, then again to see what I liked and didn't like. On the whole, I still love it. I also see how it could encourage a few bad behaviors, but then again, so can movies, overhearing conversations, and music. Books are about learning. It's important to read them with a child at the appropriate age and use it was a way to teach what's wrong and right. For those reasons, I highly recommend sharing this with kids from 6 to 8. Younger might understand it. Older might find it amusing. But that's the sweet spot in my opinion.
Max doesn't like being told what to do. He just runs around a lot. I have a 5-month-old puppy named Baxter who's just like Max. I get frustrated, but I love him. I've put him in time-out. Max was sent to bed without supper. I can only imagine where Baxter goes in his imagination... if it's anything like where Max goes, we're in for trouble!
So glad to re-read this one!
November 1, 2017
This is a book that I feel most people have read or at least know about. I read it to my students for Halloween because it is a classic. They loved reading this version of the book because the photos are from the movie. Then we watched the movie :)
September 20, 2011
Where the Wild Things are: The Movie Storybook. Based on the screenplay by Spike Jonze & Dave Eggers. Based on the book by Maurice Sendak.
This story is about a boy called Max who runs away from home. After feeling his mum and sister are ignoring her, he puts on his wolf costume which makes him feel strong and sure. After an argument with his Mum which results in him biting her and making her cry. Max runs off into the night through the forest and gets into a boat, sailing for many days and nights until he reaches an island. On the island, Max meets the ‘Wild things’ a group of six enormous creatures with claws and sharp teeth. After nearly being eaten by the wild things, Max manages to convince them that he is a King and they do as he wishes including making a giant fort. However some of the Wild things soon begin to questions Max’s Kingship, and arguments and fights break out amongst the Wild things. They then realise that Max was lying and is not in fact a king, one of the characters particularly fond of Max, Carol is so angry by this new she wants to eat Max. Max realises what he has done to this family of wild things and he misses his own family and decides to go back home.
I particularly enjoyed the use of adjectives in the story that created vivid images: ‘snowballs coming at him with rapid flurry’, ‘max bolted into his igloo’, ‘the creatures encircled Max, gnashing their teeth’. The main themes I would say are childhood adventure and imagination. This book also covers the theme of family and friendship well, especially conflict and the importance of thinking before you act and not acting in the ‘heat of the moment’. The characters of the book are exactly as you would expect a young boy to picture monsters, as big beasts with horns and large teeth. However, I also loved the names of some of the wild things: ‘Carol’ and’ Douglas’, making them seem immediately more human like.
A marvellous book, definitely one to read to a class aloud. The illustrations, particularly because it is a movie storybook it looks real and vivid, which will keep the children engaged. Although some of the language may be rather advanced for younger children and the teacher would have to explain these. The issues dealt with in the story such as family, and lying would be useful for citizenship lessons and helping children to understand morals. In addition, the concept of thinking before you act, not acting in the moment, and reflecting on your actions, and that everything will be alright in the end.
This story is about a boy called Max who runs away from home. After feeling his mum and sister are ignoring her, he puts on his wolf costume which makes him feel strong and sure. After an argument with his Mum which results in him biting her and making her cry. Max runs off into the night through the forest and gets into a boat, sailing for many days and nights until he reaches an island. On the island, Max meets the ‘Wild things’ a group of six enormous creatures with claws and sharp teeth. After nearly being eaten by the wild things, Max manages to convince them that he is a King and they do as he wishes including making a giant fort. However some of the Wild things soon begin to questions Max’s Kingship, and arguments and fights break out amongst the Wild things. They then realise that Max was lying and is not in fact a king, one of the characters particularly fond of Max, Carol is so angry by this new she wants to eat Max. Max realises what he has done to this family of wild things and he misses his own family and decides to go back home.
I particularly enjoyed the use of adjectives in the story that created vivid images: ‘snowballs coming at him with rapid flurry’, ‘max bolted into his igloo’, ‘the creatures encircled Max, gnashing their teeth’. The main themes I would say are childhood adventure and imagination. This book also covers the theme of family and friendship well, especially conflict and the importance of thinking before you act and not acting in the ‘heat of the moment’. The characters of the book are exactly as you would expect a young boy to picture monsters, as big beasts with horns and large teeth. However, I also loved the names of some of the wild things: ‘Carol’ and’ Douglas’, making them seem immediately more human like.
A marvellous book, definitely one to read to a class aloud. The illustrations, particularly because it is a movie storybook it looks real and vivid, which will keep the children engaged. Although some of the language may be rather advanced for younger children and the teacher would have to explain these. The issues dealt with in the story such as family, and lying would be useful for citizenship lessons and helping children to understand morals. In addition, the concept of thinking before you act, not acting in the moment, and reflecting on your actions, and that everything will be alright in the end.
July 21, 2016
Having been inspired by one of my favourite children's books ever (and one of the best book to movie adaptations as well) I'm surprised at how disappointing this book is. There wasn't really a point in translating the film back into a children's book, since the original is perfection, but they failed even furthern due to the fact that the production quality of this book was so poor. How did they rationalize the blurry, out of focus images, when there's clearly no artistic drive behind doing so, and the source material (the film) would have been pristine? I'm going to keep this book in my collection for the sake of completion, but I'm very very unhappy that it is such a disappointment.
September 9, 2011
Where the Wild Things Are is a classic book that gives children a chance to explore their imagination. With the story of a boy who feels like no one understands him in his own home, he escapes to a world where he is king. Many children can relate to the feeling of not being noticed or given the attention they deserve. Max sets out to an island where he encounter wild creatures that name him king and give him the adventures he's been longing for. I think this book has great imagery and given young readers a chance to see what their imaginations are all about.
September 9, 2011
I thought this was a very cute book. I read this book as a child and I still like it as much as I did when I was younger. I think the concept of the story and imagination is portrayed very well in this book and I think the pictures really make a difference as to allowing the children to picture and imagine what is going on. The pictures are real since it is the movie version of the book and I really think this makes a difference and makes it more interesting for the kids.
September 28, 2012
Where The Wild Things Are: The Movie Storybook is written by Barbara Bersche. This movie to book adaptation is a fun way to experience the story. The pictures are all still images from the movie. The original book by Maurice Sendak is still the best, in my opinion, but this book does a good job. I would recommend this book for children of all ages. It would be a good fit for those children who have seen the movie. I would use this book in my classroom library for pleasure reading.
September 17, 2013
I really loved this book back when I was a child and now as an adult. This book is an amazing story that takes you through a different world where strange things happen. I think that is what I liked the most, the strangeness of it. There is also great dialogue, interesting characters, and a main character that you can really connect to. I recommend this book to anyone young and old.
October 24, 2009
For true fans of movies and wild things! A comprehensive look at the making of Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are based on the incredible Maurice Sendak's original picture book.
Lisle Library Call #: E SEN
Lisle Library Call #: E SEN
December 29, 2010
The orginal child "where the wild things are" is so much fun, but the message in this book and in the movie is haunting, It could eaisly scare a young kid to death just thinking it's one their favorite book before they saw and read the movie.
August 10, 2016
Too real.
November 23, 2017
Es bonita la historia pero todo fue como muy de golpe le faltó un poquito más de desarrollo pero supongo que es más un complemento de la película que una novela/cuento aparte
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September 4, 2019This book is kinda good not gonna lie. I like the movie more though. I just like the part when he has to leave his monster kingdom. It was upsetting because he was king and he made close friends that wanted to eat him throughout time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2018
No, just, no. Turning a perfect pearl necklace into a treasure chest of jewelry is not a good thing. The pictures are pretty though, and the kid is cute.
November 4, 2022
Interesting
December 8, 2009
This book rocks!
July 4, 2010
Max Runs Away From Home And He Sails Many Days Across The Ocean.
Want to read
August 4, 2010I Love This Book. Nine Year Old Boy Named Max Escapes From Home To Where The Wild Things Are And He Becomes A King.
September 29, 2011
I loved it so much. I saw everyone should read it if you have not already. I will never forget this book for as long as I live.
February 14, 2014
Beautiful stills from the film! I'm going to let my child read this book someday.
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November 30, 2018One thousend
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews