JUMANJI

Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg

Picture Book, grade: 3-5

4 stars

            Judy and Peter are left alone at the house and are very bored.  They end up going to the park and finding a board game, Jumanji that they take home to play.  Little did they know when they unfolded its playing board that they were about to enter a thrilling adventure into the jungle.  Their ordinary house becomes filled with lions, monkey, and snakes. 

            Chris Van Allsburg is both a phenomenal author and illustrator.  The story keeps you guessing what will be next?  And the pictures look very realistic.  I personally have never read this book, but I have seen the movie.  The movie is exactly the plot of the book.  Even the interpretations of the pictures line up with the movie.   I enjoyed the realism of the pictures, and how they were only black and white pictures.

            This book would be great to use in the classroom when introducing jungles.  What animals are in a jungle?  What insects?  What is the weather like?  Jumanji would also offer students a great read for those who are in-between elementary picture books and juvenile chapter books.  It has a good plot and includes dialogue between the children.