Max has an active imagination, who will throw a fit if others don't go along with what he wants. Following an incident with his sister Claire and her freinds, Max throws a tantrum when his mother pays more attention to her boyfriend than to him - Max runs away from home. Wearing his wolf costume at thetime, Max not only runs away physically, but runs toward a world in his imagination. This world, an ocean away, is inhabited by large wild beasts, including Carol who has the same temperament as Max. Instead of eating Max like they normally would with creatures of his type, the wild things befiend Max after he prclaims himself a king who can magically solve all their problems.
