Simply Put
The text in the book is very simple and not only corresponds with the illustrations but the story depends on them to build it. Sendak doesn't use many complete sentences and the sentences span many pages with little punctuation, leaving you guessing as to what is going to come. The wording is also simple so younger audiences can comprehend and get the message without being scared. When describing the wild things, the word “terrible” is used to describe their aspects but you don’t get a feeling of fear and fright from it. Their images are more terrifying than their descriptions. In a way, it makes it seem like Max is describing them because children don’t have a very extensive vocabulary. He also uses a lot of adjectives to describe different scenes in great detail. For example yellow eyes, terrible claws etc. The wording is playful, for example “mischief”, “I’ll eat you up”, “rumpus”, similar to the story that is being told of Max’s imagination. His mother called him “WILD THING” we believe this not only foreshadows the following events that take place but inspires Max’s dream world to create the actual “wild things”. His mother tries to control this new persona he puts on when he is in his wolf suit, but in is head, he is in control—he can send them off to bed without their supper if they are out of line. An example of this is the scene where his mother is replayed in reverse roles and alternative perspective. The illustrations definitely dominate the plot cultivation, and a good activity for this book is to read this book first without showing the pictures to then discuss the images they’ve created of Max’s world then compare them to the actual illustrations. This leads them to understanding both his mother and Max’s perspectives and brings the story into a full circle.