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In the Night Kitchen

(1970, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Maurice Sendak, Illustrated by Maurice Sendak)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Sendak's timeless nursery rhyme is a joyride.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About In the Night Kitchen

Parents need to know that this story raised a minor furor when it was published 30 years ago because it showed a little boy's penis (hardly graphic, just a loop of a line) -- which served only to draw attention to this marvelous picture book. Sendak's artwork is boldly expressive and adds to the story's momentum. The unpredictability of the language will challenge older kids.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Mickey's nighttime journey. What lures him into the kitchen in the first place? What makes him want to keep exploring the strange nighttime landscape?
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Our Members Say

Have you read it? Review It!

  • What did you think about In the Night Kitchen?

  •  I think this book is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

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See all 8 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    lilmissfrankie
    I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it 3.0

    ........

    it was kinda weird seeing mickey nude

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Font29
    I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Ummmmmmm...

    Kinda Iffy when it showed Mickey naked. Honestly...

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Font29
    I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Ummmmmmm...

    Kinda Iffy when it showed Mickey naked. Honestly...

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Font29
    I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Ummmmmmm...

    Kinda Iffy when it showed Mickey naked. Honestly...

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Adult Reviewer
    soulmait@comcast ...
    Lives in Utah
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    One of my favorite children's books!

    This is one of my all time favorite children's books - I love the words, the illustrations, everything about it! My girls (5/8/10) have all enjoyed it since they were teeny! You can't go wrong with Sendak!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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