July 8, 2009 5:47 PM
Where the Wild Things Are: teaching kids to control emotions
For my review of the movie, see
Where the Wild Things Are: a big disappointment.
Since we've been discussing - through comments - how to help children whose emotions seem out of control, I thought I'd rerun my rave review of a misunderstood classic.
Here's why Where the Wild Things Are
A few years ago, in his Breakpoint column Chuck Colson blasted Maurice Sendak's 1964 classic as emblematic of the "unfettered rebellion" which eventually gave rise to the counterculture. Pretty heavy, huh?At the time, I was on assignment for a Christian Parenting Today article called "Story Power" so I had a great opportunity to address Mr. Colson's colossal misinterpretation. I love Where the Wild Things Are and have been reading it to kids for 37 years (Samantha will be 38 Monday, but don't tell anyone, and my adopted Downzer boys are still just 7, 11, and 12 so they still love it). It's a must-have book for any family -- at least any family that wants well-behaved kids. Far from celebrating rebellion, it actually instructs children in the art of taming their emotions.
Here's the real scoop:
Max misbehaves at dinner and is sent to his room. (Max has parents who care enough to punish him when necessary.)Max sails away to an island full of Wild Things. (Max cranks up his tantrum-a "wild rumpus" with the Wild Things.)
Max, "King of All the Wild Things," finally commands them to stop. (He realizes he can take control of his emotions.)
Though the Wild Things beg him to stay, Max sails home again. (He makes the right decision.)
In his room, he finds his warm dinner still waiting. (His parents haven't stopped loving him.)
Tripp and I have always loved reading this book to the kids because of the several pages with no text, where the wild things are dancing around, well, wildly. We like to do Native American-type chanting Ay-yuh-yuh-yuh, Ay-yuh-yuh-yuh for a few minutes before Max tells the wild things to Stop!
According to C. S. Lewis, "A book worth reading only in childhood is not worth reading even then." I agree, and have included a lot of information in The Mommy Manual and Mommy, Teach Me to Read! - on how to choose books for kids.
In the meantime, for more, go here to read the rest of Story Power: Teach Your Children Emotional Intelligence through Great Books.
See also: The power of stories in children's lives
Posted in Books, Mothering, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink
Comments
Ok, Barbara, that sounds excellent for my 6 year old and my 3 year old. What do I do about my 14 year old son who now has discovered his inner toddler? (silent scream). Help? Anybody? (pathetic plea...smile)
[Maybe have him read it aloud to the younger ones? :) ]
Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | July 8, 2009 6:20 PM
Barbara, I love the way you think. (smile)
Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | July 8, 2009 7:32 PM
I love this book. I didn't used to, but honestly, it was reading your perspective several years ago that changed mine. Now, we read this book all the time and I love it as much as the kids. :)
Posted by: Lucy | July 8, 2009 7:42 PM
I have read that books many times (I had it memorized at one point) and never caught on to this. It makes it even better.
Posted by: sandra | July 8, 2009 7:54 PM
Great book! I even own a copy in Spanish.
Posted by: Iris | July 8, 2009 11:32 PM
I love this book, but never thought about it this way. Now I can't wait to read it again! Thanks!
Posted by: Wendy | July 9, 2009 10:06 PM
I took 2 of my kids to see the Ice Age movie this yesterday and there was a preview for the movie "Where the Wild Things Are". Looks cute, but then again they always make the previews look good. http://wherethewildthingsare.warnerbros.com/
Posted by: Margaret | July 11, 2009 7:48 AM
