The Wheeler Centre

Bestselling children’s authors Sally Rippin and Anna Walker embrace their inner wild things at this special screening of Spike Jonze’s film adaptation of the classic picture book. From the scary to the silly, the unloved to the lovable: monsters of all kinds creep their way across the pages of children’s literature. Maurice Sendak’s iconic 1963 picture book Where the Wild Things Are evokes the multiplicity of the monster – as a pathway to adventure, an embodiment of big feelings and an ominous force sent to test the hero. For Spring Fling, The Wheeler Centre and ACMI present a special screening of Spike Jonze’s acclaimed 2009 film adaptation starring Catherine Keener and Mark Ruffalo. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with two of our most beloved children’s authors and illustrators, Sally Rippin (School of Monsters, Polly & Buster) and Anna Walker (Mr Huff, Bedtime Story). They will discuss Sendak’s creative legacy, monsters as metaphors and the emotional stakes of depicting darkness. Join us for a roaring celebration suitable for both the young and young at heart. Where the Wild Things Are is rated PG and runs for 1h 41m. Sally Rippin and Anna Walker’s Q&A will run for 20 minutes after the screening concludes. This event is recommended for ages 9 and above. Parental guidance is recommended for children under 12.