'Where the Wild Things Are' celebrates its 50th anniversary
Readers and booksellers alike will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the publication of Maurice Sendak鈥檚 classic children鈥檚 book 鈥�Where the Wild Things Are鈥� this weekend.
First released on Nov. 23, 1963, Sendak鈥檚 tale is the story of Max, a boy who is sent to bed without his dinner after misbehaving. Once the lights go out, Max embarks on a journey to the land of the Wild Things, who crown him their ruler. The book won the 1964 Caldecott Medal.
Sendak is also the author of such books as 鈥淚n the Night Kitchen鈥� and 鈥淢y Brother鈥檚 Book.鈥�
Since its publication, various polls have captured the love readers feel for the book, including a 2007 online survey created by the that named 鈥淲here the Wild Things Are鈥� as one of teachers鈥� 100 best books for children and a 2012 poll by that asked readers their favorite picture book of all time. 鈥淲here the Wild Things Are鈥� came in at number one.
鈥淎gain and again this is the ultimate picture book,鈥� Library Journal staff wrote after the results came in, while a voter named Travis Jonker wrote, 鈥淪endak鈥檚 1963 book was that instrumental in ushering in the modern age of picture books. While tackling themes of anger and loneliness, Sendak created one of the few picture books that still seems fresh after decades in print.鈥澛�
The book was adapted into a mostly well-received live-action movie in 2009 directed by Spike Jonze, with actor Max Records portraying the protagonist and actors James Gandolfini, Paul Dano, and Catherine O鈥橦ara portraying various Wild Things.
Writer Dave Eggers took on the screenplay for the movie and told he was taken aback when his mother first read 鈥淲here the Wild Things Are" to him.
鈥淚 was used to tidier narratives with a clear message of who's good and who's bad,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut Sendak's monsters weren't simple or cute鈥�. I was always into monsters, but nobody did them better than Sendak.鈥�
Some bookstores will be holding anniversary celebrations to celebrate "Where the Wild Things Are," including Albuquerque store , the staff of which scheduled a morning party based around both the anniversary and the coming holiday.
"Let's be thankful for Maurice Sendak and the Where the Wild Things Are 50th Anniversary!" the store wrote on its website, also asking guests to "please wear Wild Things themed attire if you can."
