In the Night Kitchen

In the Night Kitchen. Maurice Sendak. Illus. by Maurice Sendak. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1970. 34 pages. $15.95 (Hardcover). ISBN 0-06-026668-6. Grades K-2.

“Did you ever hear of Mickey, How he heard a racket in the night?” If not, then you are in for a treat; the treat of cake every morning. Before things went bump in the night they went bake, and Maurice Sendak gives everyone a taste in this deliciously magical tale of dreamy adventure. Mickey woke to a sound one night and found himself floating through the air and in to a kitchen. Rather than dining he got baked in to the cake because he was mistaken for milk! He must use his wit to get himself out of this mess and save the day.    Readers will laugh as they see Sendak’s large, detailed illustrations popping from the page in comic book fashion. Every illustration holds a key to the story. Although the story will have kids laughing and wishing they could eat cake every morning, some adults may find Mickey’s night time nudity inappropriate. His nudity may also cause a distraction for young readers. Although it is a beautiful book and fun story, it may not be best for large settings or the classroom. Recommended with reservations 

  

My Thoughts…

This could have been the coolest and scariest dream in the world to have, but it sure made a great book! I remember hearing controversy about nudity in this book when I took children’s literature, but I never got a copy to see what it was talking about. I did find it odd that nudity was a necessary detail, but I guess it Mickey wouldn’t have been mistaken for milk if he had been clothes and not milk white. It was also odd to me that there were male bakers and the naked little boy, but this is only because I watch a lot of Law and Order SVU, I do not think molestation would cross the normal readers mind. I loved the illustrations! Sendak is a great artist! I also loved how the text was so easy to read.  Mickey definitely reminded me of Max from Where the Wild Things Are, however, when he was still wearing the cake batter. It was a cute story, and if the only negative thing is that he is naked, then oh well. I don’t think I would ever use this in a story time because of that though.

Potential Reaction…

Laughter. That is what I see in my head when kids read this book. I think they would be laughing because the pictures of the fat chefs are funny and I think they would laugh because Mickey is getting baked in a cake and then outwits the chefs. Most of all, however, I think they would be laughing because he is naked. Kids are immature, shoot, adults are immature. I think they would initially be distracted by the illustrations, but if they could get past that I think they would really enjoy the story. It is pretty awesome that Mickey isn’t afraid when he hears noise and that he doesn’t get baked in to a cake. Making an airplane out of bread dough also sounds like fun, and I think kids would love to get to do that. I think that this book would make some kids hungry (like it did me) and it would be paired great with a snack, or a change to make cookies or bread if space allowed. 

Reminds Me Of…

The artwork in this book reminded me of Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are for sure, but as far as the story goes it was different. I think there are different categories I would group this book with if I were planning a program or setting up a display, however. For example, it would work well with other books about cooking or dreaming. Unfortunately I can’t come up with any titles. It of course would also work with other Sendak books