Where the Wild Things Are
It takes a child's rage seriously, gives it an island to run around on for three wordless spreads, and then brings him home to supper that is still hot—which is the only ending an angry four-year-old actually wants. The wild rumpus pages are where you let them roar.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak is estimated to take about 5 minutes to read aloud (336 words, about 1 sentence a page), and it lands best with children aged 3-6.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 5 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 336Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 1Sentence per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 5/5still good at forty
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 3-6Our editorial fit
Our review
This story treats a child's big, overwhelming emotions with genuine respect. The three wordless spreads allow a child to process a moment of pure imagination and wildness without being bogged down by text.
The resolution is what makes it land for young readers. After the chaos of the "wild rumpus," the protagonist returns home to a meal that is still hot, providing a sense of security that follows the emotional release.
Before you buy it
Some younger children may find the monsters a bit scary, and modern parents might find Max being sent to bed without supper to be a bit harsh.
Themes
- anger
- imagination
- monsters
- coming home
Books like Where the Wild Things Are
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry...about 3.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
The Gruffaloabout 8.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Llama Llama Mad at Mamaabout 5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Grumpy Monkeyabout 6 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Owl Babiesabout 5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Where the Wild Things Are aloud?
About 5 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 336. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Where the Wild Things Are actually for?
Ages 3-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 1 sentence a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Where the Wild Things Are survive being read on repeat?
Yes - this is one of the few that is still fine on the fortieth reading, which is why it scores 5 out of 5 with us.
Will my child memorise Where the Wild Things Are?
It can. It scores 5 out of 5 with us for holding up to repeat reading, and children tend to learn by heart the books they ask for most, even without a strong refrain.
Can a beginning reader read Where the Wild Things Are on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 1 sentence a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
What themes does Where the Wild Things Are cover?
We tag it with anger, imagination, monsters and coming home. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
Lists Where the Wild Things Are is on
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