Book Review : Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak

"Where the Wild Things Are" is perhaps Maurice Sendak's best book. Narrating the fantasies of Max, an 8-year little boy with an older sister, who has no real contact with him, an absent father and a really busy mother, "Where the Wild Things Are" has been a classic book in children's literature for more than 40 years. Originally published in 1963, the book still has a huge appeal on young readers, but also on adults.

Sendak tells a story of imagination with his unique writing style, which not only adds to the mysterious feel of the story, but it also gives children a brilliant experience with manoeuvring and creatively using the English language.

Dressed up in his distinctive wolf suit, Max chases the dog with a fork and growls at his mom. Mom, upset and tense, calls Max a "Wild Thing" and Max, upset and confused, shouts back "I'll eat you up!" After his mischief, Max is sent to his room without supper.

There, Max fantasizes that his bedroom turns into miraculous scenery with a wild forest and a little boat in the ocean. Max sails in until he reaches a land full of "Wild Things". The land is occupied by fearsome-looking monsters with yellow eyes, but Max manages to tame them with a single glance. The Wild Things realize that Max is the wildest thing of all and declare him "the King of all Wild Things." With Max on the leadership, the Wild Things have a fine time creating a hullabaloo, until Max becomes homesick and seeks for a place "where someone loves him best of all."

Although the Wild Things protest, Max insists on leaving their land and returning to his bedroom. Max wakes up from his fantasies and returns to his bedroom, where he finds out that Mom has placed his hot supper.

Dealing so effortlessly with the conflict that Max faces between his mom's anger and his anger, "Where the Wild Things Are" is one of the most well-known children's stories of all time. Max uses his fantasy to overcome his anger, until homesick and lonely, he decides to leave his anger aside and return to the place where he is unreservedly loved by his mom. So, a message of wisdom and love is conveyed by the book. No matter where we go, what we do, or how angry we are, our family is the place to return and hide. And, by no means, we should let our anger separate us from the people who love us.

Max is a charming character. As any other child, Max fantasizes he is powerful and can overcome anything because he is angry. "Where the Wild Things Are" evokes his childish naivety in a well rounded manner. Max is a real child of his age, who makes mischiefs, gets angry and fantasizes how he can rule the world until he calms down and realizes the consequences - being in a foreign land with Wild Things, away from home.

Illustrated in a way that will always be in style, "Where the Wild Things Are" is a wonderfully simple story that attracts children. The transformation of Max's bedroom into an extraordinary setting is a true delight. When Max is mischievous, illustrations evoke a real rumpus, but then, as he meets the "Wild Things", they all dance through the colourful pages in some of the most fanciful and unique artwork in children's literature. The "Wild Things" are both scary and comical reflecting Max's feelings.

"Where the Wild Things Are" is the first book that deals with dark emotions in children. However, the creative imagination of Sendak creates a captivating, seamless story that can be read in one breath. Also, the simplicity of the language balances the imaginative judgment and the pleasures of home, while reflecting the creative ethics of children. In all this, the message of unreserved parental love encourages young readers and a happy ending to the story.

Undoubtedly, "Where the Wild Things Are" is one of the best children's books ever. So, do not miss it!

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