"I'll Eat You UP!!!"

A congratulatory roar of appreciation and tears on my face as I left the theater after seeing Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" placed to film for our visual delight.

The film will not appease all the Wild Things out there, but I must say "Thank You" to all those involved for taking the time to stay true to the book, while imagining and creating a new world for Max to flourish in.

This movie is not your typical Hollywood please. The pace is different, the dialogue subtle and youthful--though highly poignant--and on all accounts this is a psychological insight into the mind of a youth on the edge of transition. The movie presented the internal struggle and fight Max has in realizing he can't just be a boy anymore. It is the fight we all face in growing up with retaliation, regression, and movement from and within ourselves.

Thus far, I have heard mixed reviews. I agree with those that say this is not a movie for little kids. A few critics have said the fantasy Max creates is based to much in reality and doesn't bring the sense of whimsy, but to this I must disagree. The development of fantasy is always based around our reality. One sees what is in front of them and makes changes to meld an environment to the one that is desired. It is an act to control, to create, to escape, and also to destroy. And I must say that the setting of Australia worked beautifully for this. The subtle fall of petals, of snow, and of dirt, created a world that was very much pleasing to the eye and fantastic in quality, which provided a balance to the vision of the monsters.

The Jim Henson Company has hit yet another home run. The creature creations were amazing--and I must add, thanks for using puppets, it gave a full quality to the movie and belief in Max's imagination. Puppeteering should not become a lost art just because of CG. The two mediums of art meld so well together. I wish I saw more of it in movies these days. And whoever made the diorama--stunning!

Images aside, the dialogue of this movie is very poignant, but in subtle moves. It is true that "small things can slip through the cracks," and we must all remember how small Max is, not in size but in age. And one day the "son" will have to become the man. This is Max's time to forge through the forest, experience the battle in order to understand--most of the time when we lash out at others, we are truly lashing out at our self.

I wonder what will be thought of the movie by those that at one time attempted to censor the book due to Max's disobedience to his mother? Maybe I will never know, but I do know that I already want to see the movie again.

Where the Wild Things Are: Awaiting a Classic's Film Debut.

In less than two days Maurice Sendak's eloquent book "Where the Wild Things Are" will be put to film and playing in theaters. A wild rumpus is sure to ensue!

But for the moment the story is just a book for many of us. A beloved book we clung to in youth, flipped the pages, and gazed at each growing image to our eyes delight. The question on my mind is, how are they going to expand a 10 sentence story into a feature length film?

The answer: IMAGINATION.

The previews look amazing, the clips allow me to hope, and I trust in Sendak not to sign off on a project he didn't think would be good.

So here is what I would like to say to those that may want to spoil the wild rumpus for the rest of us:

At one time or another the wolf suit has been worn by all of us. And I hope that no matter what happens with the film, we praise the script writer, director, costume specialist, actors, and all involved in the project for taking on the challenge to please each and every wild thing out there.

So until I see the film (Saturday, October 17 at noon), I am going to take a moment to read the book and cherish the story held in paper and ink, in youth and now adulthood. And I hope I don't have to "roar my terrible roars" or "gnash my terrible teeth" too much when blogging about the movie.

Children's & Young Adult literature has a typical response from non-readers of the genre as being literature that is cute and fluffy. Though the genre does include cute and fluffy characters at times, the dynamic of Children's & Young Adult literature is, that while writing, authors use youth to discuss complex and difficult concepts adults feel children can't fathom. 

Recently, having seen previews for yet another movie based off a young adult book, I borrowed "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne from my neighbor. Enjoying to read books before seeing them placed to film, I opened the cover one relaxing day and spent my time reading chapters in between cooking and contemplating the story.

To begin a small review, I must say I was impressed with how Boyne told such a poignant story through the eyes of a nine year old boy, Bruno. To write a book on the Holocaust is daunting to say the least, but then to place it in the terms of youth...well, I still can't fathom it. Boyne's writing style and use of simple sentence structure creates a result that is far from simple. The author's idea to have Bruno continually miss-pronounce historic WWII sites and military groups was unique and emphasised the main characters "naivete" for lack of a better word.

Though a quick read, it is one that should be taken in stride to understand the complexity mingled within the ease of reading. Take a moment to remember your own youth, being a nine year old running for recess, making friends on the playground, and the only worry was who would be on your dodge-ball team that day. And then imagine moving to a location where, not only do you not know your home, there is no one but yourself to play with. How many secrets would you hold? Would you want to share the treasures you found with your family? Or, like Bruno, would you hold them dear to your heart not wanting to let them go?

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" could be considered a book for the age range of 8-12, but I feel this book belongs with an older crowd, if only due to the ending, which is my main criticism to the book-- it was expected. Through the whole day of reading I knew what was going to take place, I just wished it wouldn't. Because of my insight to the ending, the book didn't full-fill the emotion, compassion, and acknowledgment of the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust. On the one hand, I feel it would be too sudden and dark for youth, on the other--I have always respected the fact that Children's and Young Adult literature typically provides youth with information adults, for someone reason, forget children can handle. But I define a good children's book as one that can be read and enjoyed in youth and then when read as an adult the book contains new insights and complexities to enjoy, ponder, and revisit for years to come. "The Boy in Striped Pajamas," unfortunately, didn't accomplish this for me. I believe it will only be read once in my life. That being said, I question if I could watch the movie. Having not decided yet if I will or not, I believe the movie may be able to show more of what I hoped the book would contain. I needed more of the two boys young lives to feel the emotion at the end of the book. I wanted to know what treasures Bruno hid at the back of his closet that was "nobodies business but his own." I wanted to know more stories of Shmuel's father. I wanted to understand why these two boys connected with each other. 

But most of the time, we as readers have to make that up ourselves. And I fear that these two boys stories may be lost to me, while others are not. But I am just one reader, you get to make up your own mind. I would suggest picking this book up to read, though below is a list of similar books that remain in my heart, my memory, and my thoughts daily--to name just a few.

Books to read regarding the Holocaust:

"Number the Stars" by Louis Lowry

"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak

"Night" by Elie Wiesel

"In My Hands" by Irene Gut Opdyke

"We Read to Know We Are Not Alone." C.S. Lewis

I created this story for my Mom, Christmas 2008. Today I figured I should put it on-line to show that sometimes a book takes you places you never expected to go. And it sure doesn't hurt to have a Mom that keeps pushing you to achieve your dreams.

As this is the first blog on my recent endeavor to write more about the things I love (children's and young adult literature), I felt it would be best to tell you all a bit of why I love this genre. So I present you with a personal story, a gift, now made to movie. I will admit I made mistakes while telling it, but they are for you to figure out and explore on your own. The tale is approximately twelve minutes long, so grab a treat and a bit of water and enjoy.

"May we all keep traveling life with a book by our side

and characters to support us through good times and bad.

Keep reading and see how words open your eyes

to that which you thought you had already seen." D.G.O