Where the Wild Things are is a cultural touchstone, anyone who has read it has been touched by it, any one who was read it as a child has treasured it their whole lives. The book is brought to life by the perfect art of Maurice Sendak, and it's calm yet detailed vistas conjured a world that took root in the minds of children everwhere.
With the imminent film, it seems appropriate that this book is seeing a resurgence, and stacks of copies are being sold at HMV now, which is great for anyone who doesn't own a copy.
Of note is the brilliant wrap around cover, featuring some incredible typography, somehow expressing the entire mood of the book in a few thick strokes.
It is a great example of storytelling minimalism, with simple layouts and sparing use of text. The text itself is more of a framework for the art, a direction for the progression of the pictures, the real heart of the book. The pictures may initially not reveal much, but small implications are in every tableau, my favourite being the one time Max lets slip a slight expression of fear, the first time he meets a Wild Thing, a great sea serpent.
The book has spawned an exhibition of art by designer fans, viewable here: http://www.terribleyelloweyes.com/
I really recommend checking it out.
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