tyardley 's review for:

In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak

3.0

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Finally picked this up since I’ve heard so much about it. Look, I’m a firm believer in not censoring books. I am also a parent with a four year old and a two year old. I understand how some parents wince at content that seems inappropriate for a certain age. I also am a bit sensitive about issues of exploitation, regardless of the target.

I went into this blind, only knowing it was Sendak and having read Where the Wild Things Are back when I was younger. The story itself did not really impress me, nor did it impress my four year old. I *did* notice the nudity, however my daughter did not. I didn’t point it out or treat it differently than anything else I’ve read, and in effect she didn’t point it out either.

I’m not one to cause problems where there are none.

However, I found the book choppy and hard to read. I’ve seen some reviews call it “lyrical,” and maybe I just need to reread it in my head (my first shot was out loud) to get the rhythm. If it flowed better I can see the appeal of this little boy dreaming of cake.

I’m just not 100% sold on it being more than a mediocre kids story with a bit of darkness.