Hi Katherine,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Critics generally agree that Maurice Sendak’s "Where the Wild Things Are" (1963) is culturally significant for revolutionizing children’s literature by taking children’s emotions seriously. At a time when picture books emphasized politeness and moral instruction, Sendak centered anger, mischief, fear, and imagination, presenting childhood as psychologically complex rather than idealized.

The book validated fantasy as a coping mechanism: Max’s journey to the Wild Things externalizes big emotions, while his return home affirms security and love without punishment. Its cinematic pacing—wordless spreads, expanding and contracting illustrations—reshaped visual storytelling in picture books.

Initially controversial for being “too scary,” the book ultimately became a touchstone of postwar American childhood, influencing generations of writers, artists, and educators. More broadly, it helped legitimize children’s books as serious art, bridging literature, psychology, and visual culture, and remains a landmark exploration of emotional resilience and imaginative freedom.

Other first edition hard cover copies that lack dust covers and which aren't signed by Sendak are currently retailing for prices ranging from $150-250; when these are offered at auction, they typically bring between $50-100 depending on condition.

In the antiquarian book trade, unless presentation inscriptions (in this case, the one from Grama Kay) typically devalue books UNLESS either the giver or the recipient are of historical significance or related to the author.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

SENDAK, Maurice
Where The Wild Things Are
New York: Harper & Row, 1963
First Edition
approximately 9 by 10 inches
CONDITION: With wear, presentation inscription to the flyleaf
PROVENANCE: gift
$50-75*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia