James Baquet

    The first volume in Maurice Sendak’s (1928-2012) three best-known books came out in 1963, when I was just 8. But I never heard of “Where the Wild Things Are” until I took a children’s literature course in college.

    To be honest, I feel a little bit cheated! I wish Sendak’s vivid illustrations and his oddly childlike stories had been part of my childhood.

    Although he illustrated other children’s books beside the ones he wrote, Sendak objected to being called a “kiddie-book artist.” Indeed, he illustrated books for adults as well, and produced film and even opera (though mainly for children). But he is best known for that first book, as well as the rest of the so-called trilogy: “In the Night Kitchen” (1970) and “Outside Over There” (1981).

    And despite his protests, he really did seem to appreciate his juvenile audience.

    Here’s a story he enjoyed telling: Once a little boy sent me a charming card with a little drawing on it. I loved it. ... I sent him a card and I drew a picture of a Wild Thing on it. I wrote, “Dear Jim: I loved your card.” Then I got a letter back from his mother and she said, “Jim loved your card so much he ate it.” That to me was one of the highest compliments I’ve ever received. He didn’t care that it was an original Maurice Sendak drawing or anything. He saw it, he loved it, he ate it.

    Sendak’s editor, Ursula Nordstrom, is credited with effecting a sea change in children’s literature, and Sendak’s work is a fine example of her influence. Prior to that time, books for children were usually aimed at teaching a moral lesson. Sendak entered into the mind of a child in his work.

    Take Max, the protagonist of “Where the Wild Things Are.” He dresses up as a wolf and misbehaves, so his parents send him to bed without his supper. A forest grows in his room and he sails off to where the wild things are — and becomes their king. “Let the wild rumpus start!” he declares, and they dance until Max becomes lonely “and wanted to be where someone loves him best of all.” He returns home — to where his hot supper is waiting!

    Vocabulary:

    Which word above means:

    1. main person in a story

    2. causing, creating

    3. disliked, didn’t agree with

    4. major transformation

    5. young, made up of children

    6. given honor for

    7. made drawings or paintings for

    8. noisy activity, uproar

    9. acts badly, breaks the rules

    10. before