In only 10 sentences, Maurice Sendak left his mark on children’s literature in 1963 with the release of his picture book, Where the Wild Things Are. Not well received at first, the narrative depicted the imagination of a young boy looking for some control over his own life. Yet, this tale of escape and fantasy resonated with young children, and quickly became an iconic story.

Now, after almost half a decade, Where the Wild Things Are is finally being translated from paper to the big screen. The book has been adapted into a screenplay by Spike Jonze (also the director) and Dave Eggers, who have created a live film from Sendak’s illustrations. With the film adaptation of a classic book, however, always comes a healthy dose of fear and skepticism. Questions arise: Will this depiction stay true to the narrative, or ruin a beloved story?

Go Wild: Where the Wild Things Are opened in theaters nationwide last week.According to Corinna Lee, an English Ph.D. student and Film T.A., a successful film adaptation “depends on the context of the work being adapted and what kind of aims the director has.”

To this end, Sendak has expressed his wholehearted faith in Jonze’s vision. While there have been many previous offers to turn Sendak’s book into a film, this was the first project that the author approved.

It is befitting that Jonze took the helm on this project, as his previous films have often been concerned with the interpretation of other people’s work. This can clearly be seen in the music videos and films he has directed (specifically, the movie Adaptation, released in 2002). Jonze’s aesthetic is not only in line with Sendak’s work, but is directly influenced by it. As Lee commented, “Sendak is the forefather to filmmakers like Spike Jonze, Wes Anderson, David O. Russell and Sofia Coppola.”

Even with this perfect pairing, Jonze was sure to express that his interpretation is just that, his own unique reading of the story. “I had an idea of how to make my version of [the film], what the book is about to me in my life,” the director has said. “But I definitely didn’t want to ever do it unless Maurice was comfortable with its creation. I didn’t want to take it and make it into something that betrayed him.”

MONSTERS COME TO LIFE: A MURAL BASED ON WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE CAN BE SEEN FROM THE ROAD WHEN DRIVING ON ITHACA’S TAUGHANNOCK BLVD. IT WAS PAINTED LONG BEFORE SPIKE JONZE BROUGHT THE CHILDREN’S CLASSIC TO THE SCREEN THIS YEAR.

Jonze has nothing to worry about, as Sendak has embraced this new telling of his story, working with him throughout the writing and filming processes. “[Jonze has] done it like me … in a brilliant, modern, fantastical way, which takes nothing from my book, but enhances, enriches [it],” the author said.

Some individuals out in the audience are not as happy with this new interpretation, though. After watching Jonze’s newly constructed story line, Christina Ciaozzo ’10 was unsatisfied. “The relationships between the monsters were very sad … [and] they held Max responsible for this,” Caiozzo said. “I didn’t remember the characters in the book having their own relationships. Overall, it was generally depressing.”

Yet, the concept of reinvention is at the core of both Sendak and Jonze’s life’s work. In Lee’s opinion, “[These individuals] are pushing at the very limits of what a children’s book could be, and the conception of what a child is.”

And in this new telling comes a fresh audience — adults are discovering their childhood anew and squirming in anticipation of Jonze’s film. Out of this expectancy, a plethora of other work has been created, relating directly to the desire to rediscover the inspiration of childhood.

Jonze started his own blog in anticipation of the move, entitled “We Love You So.” Enlisting young adult writers, these new voices have spent the last several months enlightening the masses on what has influenced the creation of this film. Magazines like Vice have also tapped into the Where The Wild Things Are craze. Currently, Vice is holding a “Draw Your Own Wild Thing” contest.

In the end, Jonze’s movie has already proven to be a success. Making $32.5 million during its opening weekend, Where The Wild Things Are is currently the number one movie in America.