Where to start withWhere the Wild Things Are
2 versions · originally a book, 1963
Themes: Imagination, Anger Management, Adventure, Monsters, Coming of Age.
Start with Where the Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak, 2009) — the book. Where the Wild Things Are exists in 2 versions across media, beginning as a book in 1963; each is ranked below by what it does best.
Max’s journey to the land of the wild things explores the turbulent emotions and imaginative power of childhood isolation.
✦ Most fans start here
Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
The original novel
✦ Start hereWhere the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak · Book · 2009
The 1963 book provides the foundational experience of Maurice Sendak’s iconic illustrations and prose, perfect for those seeking the original, concise exploration of a child's tantrum and subsequent emotional journey.
2009 film
Where the Wild Things Are
Spike Jonze · Film · 2009
The 2009 movie adaptation expands the narrative into a cinematic character study, fleshing out the personalities of the wild things for viewers wanting a more atmospheric and psychologically complex experience.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Where the Wild Things Are movie a direct adaptation of the 1963 book?
The 2009 movie titled Where the Wild Things Are is a feature-length adaptation based on the original 1963 picture book. While the film expands on the narrative, it remains rooted in the source material written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak.
Should I read the 1963 Where the Wild Things Are book before watching the 2009 movie?
Reading the 1963 book Where the Wild Things Are before watching the 2009 movie is recommended. The original story provides the foundational context for the characters and themes that are further developed and explored throughout the runtime of the film adaptation.
What is the publication year of the original Where the Wild Things Are?
The original Where the Wild Things Are was published in 1963. It is the source material for subsequent adaptations, including the 2009 movie and the 2009 book edition that shares the same title.
Is there a 2009 book version of Where the Wild Things Are?
Yes, there is a 2009 edition of Where the Wild Things Are. This release coincides with the production of the 2009 film adaptation. Both the 1963 original and the 2009 book edition contain the same core story written by Maurice Sendak.