Where the Wild Things Are and Other Maurice Sendak Stories (2002)

I've always watched this disc, of course, to see Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen -- two wonderfully illustrated children's storybooks by Maurice Sendak -- but I also enjoy all the Nutshell tunes save One Was Johnny. (1) Where the Wild Things Are with music and narration by Peter Schickele: The truly classic storybook's delightful illustrations become artfully animated as Max, sent to his room without supper for being "a wild thing," enters a forest and sails to an island of giant "wild things" where he becomes king and leads a "wild rumpus" until he returns home to his room -- and supper. (2) The Nutshell Kids with music and vocals by Carole King (exerpted from the 1975 TV program Really Rosie): Alligators All Around presents an alliterative alphabet in song, Pierre perpetually says "I don't care" until he is eaten by a lion and rescued, One Was Johnny presents a number song with animals, and Chicken Soup With Rice is a duly playful tune. (3) In the Night Kitchen with narration by Peter Schickele: This memorably mysterious storybook's illustrations become animated as Mickey floats, in a dream, naked from his bed to the night kitchen, where Oliver Hardy-lookalike bakers sing and obsess over milk and making "Mickey cake" while Mickey, briefly clothed in a dough jumpsuit, flies a plane made of dough to "get milk the Mickey way" before he floats off to sleep in his bed. 3.5 stars. (11-25-08)