WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

story and pictures by MAURICE SENDAK 

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Brand new softcover picture book, 48 pages.

Originally published in 1963, Where the Wild Things Are has become a much-loved favourite children's best-seller, and an acknowledged classic of 20th century children's picture books. 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 the 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."

Maurice Sendak said: "Max, the hero of my book, discharges his anger against his mother, and returns to the real world sleepy, hungry, and at peace with himself... from their earliest years children live on familiar terms with disrupting emotions, fear and anxiety are an intrinsic part of their everyday lives, they continually cope with frustration as best they can. And it is through fantasy that children achieve catharsis. It is the best means they have for taming Wild Things"

Where the Wild Things Are is one of President Obama's favourite books. He read it at the White House 2009 Easter Egg Roll

• Library of Congress Children's Books
• Caldecott Medal
• Reading Rainbow Book
• New York Public Library's "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing"
• ALA Notable Children's Book
• Lewis Carroll Shelf Award

About the Author

Maurice Sendak was born in Brooklyn, New York. He began by illustrating other authors' books for children, but the first book that he both wrote and illustrated was Kenny's Window, published in 1956. Since then he has illustrated over 80 books, and has won many awards, including the 1964 Caldecott Medal for Where The Wild Things Are. In 1970 he was the first American to win the Hans Christian Andersen Illustrator's Medal. In 1978 the University of Boston made him Doctor of Humane Letters and in 1983 he won the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal for a 'substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children over a period of years'.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak