Tag: writing

Where the Wild Things Are

Maurice Sendak, Author & Illustrator

  1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sendak, Maurice. 1963. WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. Ill. by Maurice Sendak. New York: Harper & Row. ISBN 9780060254926. 

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Max, a boy who loves his wolf suit and loves to cause mischief in the comfort of his home. The mischief led to no supper and was sent straight to his room as a consequence. In his room, a forest begins to grow, and Max sails away to the land of Wild Things. He becomes king of the Wild Things and tames them as a king would, in confidence and heavy imagination. In due time, Max grew tired of his duties and longed to be home where he wouldn’t be lonely. He sails back to the reality of his room, where he finds supper waiting for him, still hot.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Sendak’s story is one of mischief, imagination, and returning to the things that matter. It touches on the emotional capacities of a childhood, in which the character experiences anger, adventure, power, imagination, loneliness, and a need to return home. 

The text is straight to the point, but the illustrations allow for the imagination of the land of the Wild Things to come alive. The transition between the reality of his room and the imagination of a forest where monsters live is smoothly handled to show the emotional journey Max undergoes. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

“Each word has been carefully chosen, and the simplicity of the language is quite deceptive.” ―School Library Journal

Library Journal voted Where the Wild Things Are as the number one picture book in 2012.

5. CONNECTIONS

  • A perfect book to discuss emotions that children might feel when encountering anger, imagination, and loneliness. 
  • Children can draw their own “wild thing” to engage in their imagination.
  • Other Books: 

Viorst, Judith. ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY. ISBN 9780689711732

Sendak, Maurice. IN THE NIGHT KITCHEN. ISBN 978006026668

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! 

Mo Williams, Author & Illustrator

  1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Willems, Mo. 2003. DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! Ill. by Mo Willems. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9780786819881. 

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

A bus driver steps away from his bus with one simple instruction left for the reader, don’t let the pigeon drive the bus! The pigeon makes his debut and immediately starts to beg the reader to allow them to drive the bus. It goes from begging to whining, to bargaining, to throwing a full tantrum when they are not allowed to drive the bus. The reader becomes a part of the story through page interaction and essentially is called to deny the request of a very dramatic pigeon. When the bus driver finally returns, the pigeon is defeated in their request to drive the bus. However, a truck comes around, and the pigeon has now found a new desire.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! Is a engaging book that introduces humor, real world scenarios and active audience participation. The reader was given an instruction and engages with the pigeon throughout the book to ensure that he does not infact drive the bus. This book is effective for younger readers because it allows them to be respond to the narrative, laugh and have some decision making input throughout the story. The dialogue is composed of short responses such as you would have in conversation with a child. There is a range of exaggeration on how the pigeon responds to not being allow to do what their hearts biggest desire is, to drive the bus. 

The illustrations to the book are simple, however, the pigeon wears some very expressive emotions throughout the story. You are able to see the his desire to drive the bus and the sneakiness of trying to convince the reader to allow them to take the wheel. His attitude shifts to direct rage and defeat when the bus driver finally returns and he was in fact not allowed to drive the bus. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Publishers Weekly: “The premise of this cheeky debut is charmingly absurd. Willems hooks his audience quickly with the pigeon-to-reader approach and minimalist cartoons. The bluish-gray bird expresses countless, amusing emotions through tiny shifts in eye movement or wing position.”

Reformed Perspective: “The Pigeon uses every excuse you’ve ever heard a child use: ‘I never get to do anything!’…”

5. CONNECTIONS

  • This book can be used with children during storytime to discuss the importance of making wise choices, following instructions, and “no means no”. 
  • Related Mo Williams books:

Willems, Mo. THE PIGEON FINDS A HOT DOG! ISBN 9780786818693

Willems, Mo. KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE. ISBN 9780786818709

Willems, Mo. EDWINA, THE DINOSAUR WHO DIDN’T KNOW SHE WAS EXTINCT. ISBN 9780786837489