Where the Wild Things Are (1963): Important Parental Lessons

Although many adults view children’s literature as unworthy of their time, given that, in their estimation, it yields no or limited intellectual stimulation, Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are (1963) upends such a problematical mindset. Penned, illustrated, and published in 1963, the text argues for parents to center their parenting on the full humanity of their children.

Sendak, who also vividly and powerfully illustrates the book, introduces readers to the protagonist, Max, as he struggles to gain authentic visibility. Mother, Max’s mother, focuses her parenting praxis on discipline and punishment, ultimately decentering her child from her parenting in service of a conservative notion of parenting that gives more care and love to discipline and punishment than her son.

Recognizing that no parent is perfect, a close reading of Where the Wild Things Are can promote better parenting, especially as it exposes parental blind spots.

Discouraging Imagination in Where the Wild Things Are

The story opens at night with Max sporting “ his wolf suit “ and “he made mischief of one kind and another” (p. 1–3). As is typical of any child, Max engages his imagination to discover its benefits and possibilities. Unfortunately, upon seeing…