Where the Wild Things Are

Barbara J. Feldman

Although Maurice Sendak's 1963 children's book "Where the Wild Things Are" consists of only ten sentences, it has been a phenomenal international hit, selling over 19 million copies as of last year. Now that it's been adapted into a hit movie by director Spike Jonze, media attention is once again shining on Mr. Sendak, his artwork and this wonderful children's story.

HarperCollinsChildrens: Where the Wild Things Are

5 stars

The official “Where the Wild Things Are” book site from publisher Harper Collins Children’s features a Maurice Sendak biography, a list of awards won by the book (such as the 1964 Caldecott), and a complete listing of his seventy-nine Harper Collins books. Wow! But the best clicks are the printable goodies: a six-page activity book, a coloring page and a cutout of Max’s royal crown, all found in Extras.

How to Draw Cartoons Online: Where the Wild Things Are

4 stars

Want to try your own hand at drawing an imaginary monster? Take another look through Sendak’s book, and pay particular attention to the shapes of the monsters, trying to identify the underlying circles and ovals. Then follow these simple illustrated steps, and soon you’ll have created your own wild thing monster to color. “Having completed one of the creatures from ‘Where the Wild Things Are,’ see if you can tackle some of the others -- using a similar approach.”

NWF: Be Out There: Where the Wild Things Are

5 stars

The National Wildlife Federation has teamed up with the Wild Things movie to “connect kids and families with nature at home, at schools, and in their communities.” To that end, they’ve created a PDF kids guide titled “Find the Wild Thing in You,” a parents and teachers activity guide to the movie, and a printable activity poster. All these downloads are really big, so be patient. But your patience will be rewarded with activity ideas such as a monster mobile, Wild Things bingo, and a crown pattern to cut out and wear.

Reading Rockets: Family Literacy Bag: Where the Wild Things Are

5 stars

A Family Literacy Bag is a printable activity booklet, bookmark, parent info sheet, and parent survey designed to be placed in a Ziploc bag by a teacher and sent home with a book. But for our purpose, you’ll find great value here whether you’re a parent, a teacher, librarian or scout leader. The “Where the Wild Things Are” activity book includes a kitchen project (“Max must have been hungry! Would your child be willing to give up a kingdom for a favorite food?”) and a collage project using images of day and night. “While sorting, talk with your child about how they feel whne they wake up, during the day and when they go to bed at night.”

Terrible Yellow Eyes

5 stars

Terrible Yellow Eyes is a collection of artwork inspired by “Where the Wild Things Are” put together by artist Cory Godbey, who says this about it: “Simply put, like a visual love letter to the book, with Terrible Yellow Eyes I am seeking to celebrate and promote the original masterwork by Maurice Sendak in the best way I know how -- with pictures.” I loved it, and I’m certain you will too.