Where the Wild Things Are Toys and Merchandise
Dolls, Figurines, Puzzles Based on Classic Maurice Sendak Book
Oct 15, 2009
With the release of the Spike Jonze Where the Wild Things Are movie based on the classic Caldecott award winning Maurice Sendak book, a new generation of children will be clamoring for toys and other merchandise based on Max and the wild things. Read on to learn more about the best dolls, figurines, and puzzles based on this well-known children's picture book.
Where the Wild Things Are Dolls
Children who would like to own cuddly Wild Thing dolls can check out Crocodile Creek's line of Wild Things plush. Each marvelously detailed plush toy replicates the look of the characters from the original Maurice Sendak illustrations with intricate crosshatching, bright yellow eyes for each monster, and the use of a similar color palette. Soft plush 7-inch doll versions of Max, Sipi, Bernard, and Moishe are sold singly, sold bundled with a hardcopy of this classic children's book, or sold together in a four-piece set. Crocodile Creek also sells 14-inch soft puppet versions of these four Wild Thing characters, as well as 15-inch plush doll versions.
Additionally, kids can find less well-done 12-inch plush doll versions of Max and some the wild things, such as Tzippy, Bernard, and Moishe. While recognizable as the Sendak characters they are supposed to portray, these dolls are more cutesy and cartoony and do not match the original look of each as well.
Where the Wild Things Are Figurines
To accompany the new Spike Jonze movie, Medicom is releasing new vinyl collector dolls of Max and Alexander (posed together), Bull (Bernard), Carol (Moishe), Douglas, Ira, K.W., and Judith. Each vinyl figurine is beautifully detailed, but their sharp parts make them suitable only for children ages 16 and up and adult collectors. Medicom is also releasing a 12-inch RAH (Real Action Hero) Max figure and a set of 2" Kubrick figures depicting Max, Alexander, Carol (Moishe), K.W., Judith, Bull (Bernard), Ira, and Douglas. The look of all of these Wild Thingsfigurines matches their design in the film.
For sillier Where the Wild Things Are figures that would make great office desk toys, Sendak fans can check out new Wacky Wobbler bobbleheads of Bull (Bernard), Carol (Moishe), Douglas (Emil), and Max from Funko. Each Wacky Wobbler bobblehead stands 6 inches tall and matches the original art of each character.
True collectors will want to track down the Where the Wild Things Are action figures released by McFarlane Toys in October 2000. These detailed collectable action figures mimic the look and energy of the original Sendak pictures and come with limited articulation that allows them to be posed to great effect on a bookcase or other shelf. These McFarlane figures include Max and Goatboy (posed together), Tzippy, Aaron, Bernard, Moishe, and Emil.
Where the Wild Things Are Puzzles
Mudpuppy manufactures a line of well-made children's puzzles that use classic Where the Wild Things Are illustrations in different formats and are all printed with nontoxic inks. The First Puzzle is a set of four puzzles simple enough for kids ages 2 and up to complete, with each puzzle coming with four color-coded pieces. The nine pieces in the 2-in-1 Puzzle (also suitable for kids ages 2 and up) are printed on each side, allowing children to construct two different classic illustrations. A Block Puzzle (for children ages 3 and up) comes with nine 2-inch blocks that can be used either as building blocks or to build six different pictures of the book's illustrations. The Floor Puzzle (for children ages 3 to 6) comes with 24 jumbo puzzle pieces with which children can assemble a picture of Max ruling the Wild Things. Finally, there is a regular jigsaw puzzle for children ages 3 and up that comes with 36 pieces to build a 16-inch x 16-inch picture.
Both children and adult collectors will enjoy collecting, displaying, and playing with Maurice Sendak toys based on this classic children's book and the new Spike Jonze movie. Shoppers searching for Where the Wild Things Are merchandise beyond dolls, figurines, and puzzles may also like posters and shirts. Such Sendak collectibles are sure to be hot presents for the holiday 2009 season.
Families may also like to watch the Little Bear Nickelodeon cartoon series based on the classic books written by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Shoppers looking for other holiday present ideas may like to read about gift ideas for kids who love pirates and gift ideas for kids who love knights.
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