Picture book · Fiction

Where the Wild Things Are

Maurice Sendak

About the book

Sent to bed without supper, Max sails away to the land of the wild things, becomes their king, and then returns home where his supper is still hot.

Reading notes

A landmark picture book about big feelings and safe return; the wordless "wild rumpus" pages invite children to tell the story themselves.

This description was drafted with AI assistance and checked by a separate AI review against catalog, publisher and award sources on 2026-11-11. It has not been reviewed by a human editor. Report an error.

Recognition

  • Caldecott Medal (1964)

Recognition is listed from the awarding bodies’ published records. How we verify awards.

Book details

Author
Maurice Sendak
First published
1963
Suggested ages
Ages 3–7 (editorial estimate — children vary)
Reading mode
Best read aloud
Topics
anger, imagination
Edition shown
ISBN 9780060254926 · HarperCollins, November 9, 1988 · hardcover
Catalog record
Open Library work record · edition record

Metadata verified against Open Library on 2026-11-11. Other editions and formats exist; ISBNs differ by edition.

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