Zathura

Chris Van Allsburg's fantasy "Jumani" was an exhilarating adventure, a true declaration of the power of the imagination. Naturally, high hopes were there for Zathura, what I dub his "kids in outer space" version of essentially the same story.

Unfortunately, "Zathura" doesn't ever seem to take flight. While Allsburg's illustrations are gorgeous, the plot doesn't add up and worse, the ending is one of those that will have you biting your nails in frustration.

It's really lovely to look at, but in the end "Zathura" is one of those that you just wish could've been better.

I did not have great hopes for this book, the two brothers start out fighting and very act very unkindly toward each other. It is however, not inaccurate in the illustration of big and little brothers.

The illustrations are wonderful. Both stark in its black and white colors and richly detailed.

*a magical element could be interpreted here. But it could also be considered imagination.
The brothers learn to work together and their relationship improves.

"Zathura" is another fantasy children's book from Chris van Allsburg. This book is a continuation of the ending to "Jumanji." Using black and white pictures again, van Allsburg's artistry shines as he brings life to main characters Walter and Danny Budwing. The story is clever and entertaining and the ending is wonderful.

Walter and Danny Budwing are two brothers who do not get along. Left home alone together, Danny begins to play a board game named Zathura (which was wedged in a Jumanji game box). Strange things start happening such as meteors crashing through the roof of the Budwing home and pirates invading the house as the Budwing home flies through outer space. The two brothers must team up in order to beat the game and stay alive.

Zathura (Copyright 2002 Houghton Miffin Company) is a modern fantasy book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. In my opinion, this book is a superb children’s picture book that takes the reader literally out of this world. I liked this book for three main reasons. First the illustrations of the book are in beautiful high contrast black and grey. A great example of this is on page 22, when we see the dreaded lizard Zorgon entering the house. I could clearly see the reptilian scales all over the body of the Zorgon. The illustrations also helped me to have a closer relationship with the story. The images in my head were made more powerful by the illustrations in the book. Secondly the characters seemed very believable and show show more great development. In the beginning of the story it is clear that Walter has a great dislike for his bother Danny. Walter even goes so far as to attack Danny in the front yard and pull his nose. By the end of the story, through their adventures in space, Walter and Danny’s relationship develops into one of trust and love. Lastly the writing in this story is superb. The author, Chris Van Alsburg, does a tremendous job of describing the story and the action within the story to the point where I felt that I did not need to really look at the pictures. Take for example the evil robot. Van Allsburg describes every aspect of the robot from its sharp claws to its beady red eyes. I could see it all in my head just from his description. Zathura is a great book with a great message. Even though you may not always get along you and your siblings will always be there for each other, and that the power of love will see through any sibling fight. show less

Danny Budwing and his brother Walter find the jungle game Jumanji in the park. Danny brings it home and discovers another game inside the box. Thinking the game, with its rockets, flying saucers, and planets motif looks like fun, he rolls the dice and soon the two boys are off on an outer space adventure.

As the squabbling brothers discover the advantages of working together, this sequel to “Jumanji” surprises the two boys with meteor showers, black holes, robots, and aliens. Finely-detailed artwork accompanies the story; both parents and children will find much to appreciate in this delightfully inventive tale.

Recommended.

In Zathura, when two bickering siblings find a strange board game that catapults them into “a space adventure,” they must learn to team up if they ever wish to make it home again! Zathura is a sequel to Chris Van Allsburg’s Jumanji, and like many sequels it is inferior to the original. Van Allsburg has learned a thing or two about character development in his prose, and the combination of tension between the siblings and their journey into the vast seclusion of space adds an interesting element to the story. Also, his ultra-detailed style continues to provide fascinating minutiae each turn of the page. However, it is as if Zathura is a final edit to the Jumanji story, not a new adventure. Combined with the original story it show more creates one complete tale, not two. Still, less critical young readers are more likely audiences for these stories than cranky, sleep-deprived graduate students, so…like any Van Allsburg work, Zathura is recommended for any school or public library’s picture book collection. show less

At the end of the book Jumanji, the brother and sister who played the game return the board where they found it. This book begins with two brothers taking the book home. Their quest is to make it through an intergalactic journey which includes space coming into their home with an meteor shower and a message that "Zorgon pirate boards your vessel."

The illustrations of Chris Van Allsburg are always beautifully rendered in crisp, clear images.
The book begins with two brothers who are nasty to each other, and it ends with the brothers who now choose to relate in a loving manner.

I liked the illustrations, but felt the story line was not as good as other books by this author.