Jumanji - Chris Van Allsburg

The real and surreal blur in award-winning book.

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Common Sense rates it
5
Read the book?
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Book details
  • Author:Chris Van Allsburg
  • # of pages: 32
  • Publisher:Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
  • Original Publication Date: 04/21/1981
  • Genre: Fiction - Animals
  • Paperback: $3.50
  • Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: Ages 4-8
  • Read Aloud: 4+
  • Read Alone: 6+
  • Awards:Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, Caldecott Medal

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book offers striking illustrations and a suspenseful adventure. Kids will be jumping up and down to find out what happens.

Families can talk about the notion of having jungle animals running through your house. Imagine if something like this happened to you -- what would you do? Do you think the kids in the story made good choices to solve their problem?

Message

Social Behavior:

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Wild animals charge through a house.

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Amy Brotman

Rain, rhinoceroses, and monkeys--in the house! While playing the mysterious jungle board game of the title, Peter and Judy learn that virtually anything can happen. The real and surreal blur in this award-winning book with detailed black-and-white illustrations that will draw children in--even those who have seen the more elaborate movie.



Is it any good?

5

Children instinctively understand the deep sense of magic and imagination this book conjures. Boredom is a common complaint of children, and a stampede of jungle animals through the house is the perfect cure. "I love all the animals," one six-year-old says, and the tension of how the house will be cleaned up before Mom and Dad come home adds to the suspense.

The book, written by Chris Van Allsburg, contains a subtle message below the story line: Bored children should be careful about what they wish for. Parents will appreciate that what saves the children is that they follow directions.

The illustrations have a surreal quality that complements the story. Each object, animal, or person is distinctly drawn, in richly shaded detail, and familiar household objects convey an aura of spooky calmness among the chaos. At story's end the parents return, but readers don't see their faces; the view is from a child's eye. Peter's conspiratorial look at his older sister reminds readers to side with the child's version of reality.

If you like the bizarre world of Van Allsburg, try his first book, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. Another great story that cautions against complaining and features wild birds is Hey, Al, by Arthur Yorinks.

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

5

Posted on 04/12/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Adult Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

5

Posted on 04/12/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

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