Really, one doesn’t need a reason to read Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. But in case you are looking for one . . .

How about to inspire creative children’s art? Meet our Wild Things!

This post on Organized Chaos, a fabulous art blog with step by step instructions, provided the spark for this project. As we have been reading this years Caldecott Medal and Honour titles, I have also been sharing favourite Caldecott winners from the past. Sendak’s book is a real favourite of mine. It won the medal in 1964.

First we read Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Inspired by instructions on the Organized Chaos blog, we really focused our attention on the details of each creature, looking at how they are a compilation of many animals in one. The children were asked to create their own creatures, incorporating body parts from at least five different animals. We brainstormed all of the body parts of potential creatures – thinking beyond body, legs and heads to claws, horns, snouts, beaks, necks, teeth, etc.

Students drew in pencil to design their creatures and add details for a background landscape.

Next students outlined all lines using a black sharpie.

Students then used crayons and pencil crayons to add colour and additional details to their very own Wild Things.

Some were inspired to create faces similar to Sendak’s creatures with the large colourful teeth, expressive eyes and big lumpy noses.

Many students enjoyed adding horns, claws and wings to their creatures.

Some made their creatures look a little more human by adding human looking hair and drawing faces with  expressions of a specific emotion.

Other Wild Things were much more fantastical!

Some had multiple eyes or bird like or reptile like faces.

There were things like unicorn horns, bat wings and alligator teeth.

Some wild things had body armour and some even breathed fire!

Many students had their wild things just standing around while others had their wild things running or even dancing.

So much creativity was revealed!

After colour was added to the creatures body,  students added paint to their background.

Some focussed on sky, others on a forest feel.

Other students were all about colour and chose a background that highlighted the multiple colours they used in their creature.

This student is using a bright blue background to highlight the soft pastel stripes and splotches on this creative Wild Thing.

It looks part elephant, part duck, part alligator and . . .

What else can you see?

Meet a few more gorgeous Wild Things!

Big ears and a long snout! This wild thing has some super senses!

How about taking this one out onto the dance floor?

Don’t mess with this Wild Thing. That serious look might be disguising a wilder than usual personality!

Doesn’t this make you want to get out your art supplies and make some Wild Things of your own?!