Arlington:
First Step
Preschool

7377 Chateau
Parma Hts, OH 44130

phone: 440-885-8645

fax: 440-842-5832

Story of the Month

This book is available in the First Step Library and at the Cuyahoga County Public Library.

Where the Wild Things Are    by Maurice Sendak

Summary:  This is the story of Max, a little boy who takes an imaginary journey to a land of “Wild Things”.  As Max’s imagination unfolds, his bedroom is transformed into an entirely new world.  When he sails to the land of the Wild Things, they quickly make him their ruler.  The Wild Things are tamed under Max’s fearless leadership and enjoy a “wild rumpus” planned by Max.  Ultimately Max leaves the land of the Wild Things, despite heir loving protests, to return home where he finds his dinner waiting for him. 

Hints for Reading Aloud:  This book lends itself to the use of dramatic verbal expression.  As you read such lines as “They roared their terrible roars, and gnashed their terrible teeth”, use a dramatic voice.  Your child will certainly be delighted to add a little drama as you read.  Pause as you read the descriptions of the Wild Things and encourage your child to roar, show his/her claws, and gnash his/her teeth at the appropriate points.  Help to develop your child’s vocabulary and comprehension by explaining new words (such as mischief, gnash, tame, and rumpus).  After several readings, your child may take on the role of Max as you read: Pause and allow your child to fill in Max’s lines as you read. 

Activities

• Have a “wild rumpus” like Max and the Wild Things.  You and your child can choose different movements to make (such as jumping, rolling, dancing, clapping, etc.).  Then, let your child play the part of Max, who says in the story, “Now stop!” and the movement freezes.  You can play this game repeatedly, allowing your child to suggest different movements and taking turns playing the role of Max.  Look at the illustrations together to determine what types of movements the Wild Things used during their “rumpus”.  This activity is even more fun if you add music: You can control the music, encouraging your child to dance while the music plays and “freeze” when he/she hears the music stop.
• Make a Wild Thing mask.  You will need a paper plate, paper, scissors, glue, crayons and whatever collage materials you can find around the house, such as yarn and fabric scraps, buttons, cotton balls, glitter, sequins, pasta, tissue paper, wrapping paper, ribbon, etc.  In advance, cut eye holes in the paper plate for your child.  Then encourage your child to use the collage materials and his/her imagination to create a monster mask, the wilder, the better. 
• Cook up some “Wild Thing pancakes”.  You will need pancake mix, food coloring, fruit pieces, and whipped topping.  Have your child help you mix the pancake batter, adding food coloring along with the package ingredients.  Talk about the package instructions, ingredients, and the preparation steps with your child as you mix the batter together.  Cook the pancakes for your child.  After the pancakes are cooked, help your child to decorate his/her pancake with the fruit pieces and whipped topping to create a “monster face”. 

Help promote literacy in early childhood!

Please visit the Cuyahoga County Public Library