As some of you may know, on October 16 Where The Wild Things Are is coming out as a movie. Although the book was never a favorite of mine, many people sing it’s praises, along with the committee that conferred upon it the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1963. The compelling question becomes— is it better to read the book before you see the movie or see the movie and then read the book? Does it matter in which order they happen? I think it does make a big difference and I recommend that a child first meet the story in the book and then see the movie.
This is a classic “chicken or the egg argument”, except, we know which came first, the book, and I believe that it is important for a child to meet the story as it was written and then see the movie, which is a wonderful way to extend how they feel about the original story. More times than not, when done in this order, the book wins hands down. The beauty is that this particular “chicken or the egg argument” is sure to spark some interesting conversation in your family
~ Was the movie the same as the book? How were they different?
~ Which did you prefer, the movie or the book? Why?
~ What other books have you read that you also saw the movie adaptation? Which did you prefer?
~ Have you ever seen a movie that was identical to the book?
~What advice would you give to someone if they asked, should they see the movie and then read the book or the other way around?
Enjoy the book, enjoy the movie and also, enjoy the conversation about both of them.
