Hooray, I came across another book illustrated by Maurice Sendak! The illustrations in Swine Lake (1999) were in Sendak's characteristic color palette, complex style, and emotional potential. James Marshall's main character is a wolf down on his luck. On the title page, it brushes sharp fangs while standing beside posters of ballets. Sendak's depiction of the wolf reading a newspaper includes the headline "'McMansions' all fall down!" While the wolf searches for food, it passes an "Old Fashioned Bookstore" with a sign that reads "90% OFF! Henry James first editions signed!" Any cleverly crafted children's book entertains the adult reader with gems like this. Sendak makes marvelous use of the wolf's large pointed ears, bulging yellow eyes, and long toothy snout to portray a range of dramatic emotions. This wolf can't believe their good fortune at gaining entrance to the Boarshoi Ballet. There are so many pigs in this place! Scrumptious food fills the theater! Yet, "the mangy wolf found himself absorbed in the story." This was an unexpected opportunity, later written in a newspaper review. "Bravo!" Only Sendak could transform a wolf in quite this way.
MaestroClassics has Swan Lake Curriculum Guide and a Coloring Page Printable. Sharon Risko has a Swan Lake PowerPoint.
