The initial working title of the book was “Where The Wild Horses Are”, and the story was supposed to be about a child who escapes to the land of the wild horses. Although his editor loved the idea, Maurice Sendak realised that he was unable to draw horses, and the idea of the ‘Wild Things’ was born. [1]
Where the Wild Things Are is a classic children’s picture book written and illustrated by American Maurice Sendak, first published on 9 April 1963. The book is about a young boy named Max, who, after being sent to bed without dinner for misbehaving, imagines a magical land full of wild creatures where he becomes the king of the “Wild Things.”
In the story, Max sails to a land inhabited by fierce beasts, who make him their king after he impresses them with his courage. The Wild Things have a wild rumpus, and Max becomes their leader, but he soon realizes that he misses his home and family. He decides to return to his bedroom, where he finds that his dinner is waiting for him, still hot.
The book, inspired by Sendak’s own youth and relationship with his parents, has been popular with both children and adults. It was considered groundbreaking for its honest treatment of children’s emotions, especially anger, and its themes of imagination, childhood, and the natural world continue to resonate with readers today. It has been acclaimed for its illustrations and imaginative story, and it has won numerous awards, including the 1964 Caldecott Medal.
Where the Wild Things Are has been adapted several times, including two animated shorts, an opera, a feature film, and a stage production. The book had sold over 19 million copies worldwide as of 2009, with 10 million of those being in the United States.
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