Where the Wild Things Are

Part One:  

Book Information: Sendak, Maurice. (1963). Where the wild things are. New York: Harper and Row.

Genre: The book is classified as a fictional, picture book in children's literature.

Grade Level: K-3, I think it is a great book for children in this grade range and definitely should be incorporated into the classroom!

Part Two: 

Response to Book: My predictions and response to the book's themes

I chose this book because I have heard many great things and that it is a must read!  I have never read the book before but found the cover of the book to be very interesting.  My initial thoughts of the giant "wild thing" on the front cover of the book seems to show that the story takes place in a jungle or forest. It has big horns and human-like feet and is a creature that I have never seen before in any books. It looks very intriguing and seems to be a book that would get a child to use their imagination.

After reading the book, I found the story to have several themes that children can relate to. The story begins with the main character, Max, who after dressing in his wolf costume, is sent to his bedroom after causing havoc in the house.  As Max is frustrated with his mother, his room transforms into a jungle and he ends up sailing to an island where the "wild things" are.  After he intimidates the creatures, Max becomes king of the "wild things." They create a rumpus until it is time for Max to return back to home where he finds a hot dinner waiting for him in his bedroom.  One of the themes displayed in this story is parental love. Max is disciplined at the beginning of the story but comes home to a hot dinner waiting for him.  There is also a theme of power and control.  While Max becomes king, he displays much power among the "wild things" and can get them to do as he pleases. A theme of resolving conflict and taking responsibility for our actions is evident when Max decides that it is best for him to go home.  These are all themes that children are able to relate to and I think that they are terrific lessons for children to learn about.

Thoughts about craft

This book is extremely creative and appeals to a child's imagination.  It takes kids on a journey as they will be able to put themselves in Max's shoes.  The illustrations that the author uses are bright and vivid, telling a story using only 338 words.  It is due to the fact that the pictures tell the story themselves, that Sendak does not need to write as much in the story.  I think that the story could not solely be a picture book because I feel that the words add just enough to the story.  There are six pages in the book that are wordless and consist of only pictures. I think that this is a great addition in the story, allowing children to be creative and use their imagination to think of what is happening at the time.  I really like the combination of words and pictures in the book and feel that it creates a very effective story. It is evident as to why it received the Caldecott award.

Part Three:

Critique
Overall, I thought this book was great and would be an excellent story to use in the classroom! When reading this story to children, they are able to discuss Max's behavior and why he acts the way he does.  They can also discuss that if Max loves adventure so much, why does he go back to his parents in the end.  These are important questions to discuss with students and will allow them to identify the major questions that Max faces.  The many themes that the story presents including parental love, power and control, and taking responsibility for our actions are evident throughout the story and allow children to learn important life lessons.  The author uses few words throughout the story and allows for the illustrations to speak for themselves, allowing the reader to use their imagination.  I really enjoyed the book and I can see why it was awarded the Caldecott award.

Part Four:

Lesson Sketch

Grade: 2nd

4. With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose. 

Lesson Outline:

There are six pages in the book that have no text at all.  These pages include illustrations of Max and the "wild things" creating a "rumpus" and having a good time.  These pages are left for the reader to use their imagination and determine what is happening in the story. For this activity, students will create their own dialogue for all of the characters on these six pages.  They will receive print outs of these pages and they will be able to add their own text and illustrations as to what is going on in the story.  Students will be able to show their creativity and what they think is important in the story. They will be able to ask themselves important questions relating to theme and show why Max decided to leave the island so abruptly.  Each student will create dialogue for Max and each "wild thing" on each of the six pages. They should have also added some sort of illustration to go along with the dialogue.

Discussion Questions:

What do you think Max and the "wild things" were doing after Max became king?

Why do you think Max decided that it was time to go home?

Why do you think that the "wild things" listened to Max and made him king?

If your dreams could take you to another place, where would you go?

Links to outside resources:

http://www.randomhouse.com.au/content/teachers/tsk_where_the_wild_things_are.pdf

(lesson plan ideas)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_the_Wild_Things_Are (basic info)

http://www.lfpl.org/kids/pdf/sendak-2-3grade.pdf (lesson plan ideas)
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/where-wild-things-are#cart/cleanup 
(basic info)