Jon and Mac consider: annoying Sendak quotes, Mac's high-school bully, gutter talk, a photo of Maurice looking good in a white tee, ambiguity, repression, and grace
Ha! And now bully, Nate, is in “Extra Yarn”. Should have been a Wild Things sweater. Also, I hope you both touch more on morality in picture books and the do’s and don’ts please.
My boys and I always enjoyed observing the slight changes you two made to the environment upon Sam & Dave’s “return” from digging their hole… the subtle changes in cat collar color, in flowers, and in weather vane animals indicate that they didn’t entirely arrive back to their original place of departure… it wasn’t a dream… things have changed…
I had noticed the dinner on the last picture in Wild Things, and the change of bedroom perspective/ size, but I never noticed the difference in the moon!
Whoa, I’ve read this book many times but looking so closely at Max’s downtrodden face made me well up with emotion! Looking forward to reading more from you both.
I loved this deep dive so much. I've been thinking about that moon all day, how it leaves open this space for this magical unresolved gap between "the reality of the words and the reality of the pictures." It both is the same day and is many months later, a discrepancy that acts as a crack through which possibility can enter. It sort of brings to mind the subtle changes in the scenery on the last spread of Sam and Dave dig a hole.
Oh, this was a delightful analysis! In the first couple of spreads, Max's face tells you he's not just a happy kid making a mess with his creative play. He's already in a bad mood and he's causing absolute mayhem on purpose and honestly, his mom is a saint for not losing her temper sooner. But his face before he goes home--I've felt that and I know my kids have too. So glad Sendak didn't let this book turn sappy by having Max's mom show up on the page.
Great study. I really enjoyed it! I still have my childhood copy of this book, and I have never thought critically about the design — the book was just great because it has always been great. Also, honestly, it has been more of a treasured possession than an actual book that I read to my kids, which is a shame. I’m going to read it to them tonight and point out everything you shared.
This was so excellent! Thank you! I spent a lot of time with this book as a kid, too. I even had a stuffed Wild Thing (the one with the blueish fur and human feet...I named him Kenny).
I remember getting so bothered by the part where Max gets lonely and wants to be where someone loves him best of all. These Wild Things were worshipping him (look at the page right before)! And why would he take away their supper, too!? I thought Max was a jerk on that spread.
My God, the moon! I truly never noticed in hundreds of readings.
Have things evolved, and I'm now apart of MBCS+Jon for adults? I'm here for it.
Me too!!
Hi friend!
💛💛💛
Boys, this was a delight. <3
Ha! And now bully, Nate, is in “Extra Yarn”. Should have been a Wild Things sweater. Also, I hope you both touch more on morality in picture books and the do’s and don’ts please.
that "state of grace" is what is painfully human about their relationship... I think kids know that. I think they need it too.
Beautiful.
And how have I never seen that
coat-hangered teddy bear????
My boys and I always enjoyed observing the slight changes you two made to the environment upon Sam & Dave’s “return” from digging their hole… the subtle changes in cat collar color, in flowers, and in weather vane animals indicate that they didn’t entirely arrive back to their original place of departure… it wasn’t a dream… things have changed…
I had noticed the dinner on the last picture in Wild Things, and the change of bedroom perspective/ size, but I never noticed the difference in the moon!
This was a really lovely read.
I look forward to more!
Whoa, I’ve read this book many times but looking so closely at Max’s downtrodden face made me well up with emotion! Looking forward to reading more from you both.
Me too!
Genius - the book and the inspiration of Mac and Jon to create this engaging (and oh so smart) way of looking at picture books! I already want more.
I loved this deep dive so much. I've been thinking about that moon all day, how it leaves open this space for this magical unresolved gap between "the reality of the words and the reality of the pictures." It both is the same day and is many months later, a discrepancy that acts as a crack through which possibility can enter. It sort of brings to mind the subtle changes in the scenery on the last spread of Sam and Dave dig a hole.
Oh, this was a delightful analysis! In the first couple of spreads, Max's face tells you he's not just a happy kid making a mess with his creative play. He's already in a bad mood and he's causing absolute mayhem on purpose and honestly, his mom is a saint for not losing her temper sooner. But his face before he goes home--I've felt that and I know my kids have too. So glad Sendak didn't let this book turn sappy by having Max's mom show up on the page.
Great study. I really enjoyed it! I still have my childhood copy of this book, and I have never thought critically about the design — the book was just great because it has always been great. Also, honestly, it has been more of a treasured possession than an actual book that I read to my kids, which is a shame. I’m going to read it to them tonight and point out everything you shared.
This was so excellent! Thank you! I spent a lot of time with this book as a kid, too. I even had a stuffed Wild Thing (the one with the blueish fur and human feet...I named him Kenny).
I remember getting so bothered by the part where Max gets lonely and wants to be where someone loves him best of all. These Wild Things were worshipping him (look at the page right before)! And why would he take away their supper, too!? I thought Max was a jerk on that spread.
Love the grace connection. This was perfect. ✨
I love this. More more more!
This is perfect. I already loved WTWTA but following this post I think I love it even more.