Independent Reading Level: Grade 4
Awards: Caldecott Medal/Honor

"Jumanji" is an imaginative adventure that captures the imagination of readers with its suspenseful plot and captivating illustrations.In "Jumanji," Peter and Judy's adventure unfolds as they roll the dice and move their game pieces across the board. Each roll brings new dangers and challenges into their world, from menacing monkeys wreaking havoc in their house to a lion prowling the streets. As they progress through the game, Peter and Judy encounter increasingly treacherous obstacles, including a deadly python and a torrential monsoon. It is a little longer chapter book so it would be a great read aloud in a third grade classroom.

We are watching the original movie again today, so I wanted to finally take a look at the book that started it all, and I have to say I am amazed by this gorgeous children's book!

The story itself is more of an obvious childish fancy within the story with the animals and elements showing up and causing a little light mayhem, but nothing that particularly inconveniences the kids and their game. It's more of the chaos and detritus the parents will discover, if it remains after the game is over.

I'm seriously impressed by how much original material went into the film script and the general tone and scale of the movie in general. It's a completely different animal and both are magical and very much their own things.

The art itself is something else! It's all in a black and white, almost photo realistic style with surrealistic elements that fill each illustration with disconcertingly visceral and bizarre whimsy that will delight children and wonderfully perturb adults. I truly recommend checking this book and/ or the art online because it truly is spectacular! ( )

This well known and loved classic illustrated book tells the story of a brother and sister who are bored. They decide to take a walk outside where they found a board game located by the side of a tree. The note attached states "This is a jungle adventure game, a free game, fun for some but not for all. "P.S. Read instructions carefully."

Taking the book back to their home and playing the game truly was an adventure wherein real-life lions, monkeys, a guide, two rhinos, and a large phyton. When a volcano erupted leaving lots of hot steam, the children become anxious. When each dice of two, rolling the number 12 occurred, suddenly everything returned to its natural order.

I've watched the movie, but, until now, never read the book. It is delightful, and like all of Allsubugh's books, the illustrations are stunningly clear and beautiful. ( )

The text and illustrations in this book work together to tell this story. Black and white pencil drawings are used to show different perspectives throughout. Sometimes you will see from above or below vantage points. When their parents leave for the opera, Judy and Peter play with their toys, but soon become bored and go to the nearby park. Peter discovers a jungle themed board game, Jumanji, near a tree, and they decide to take the game home. It looks like an ordinary game, but they soon find out that it is not ordinary. Whatever the two land on in the game appears to them in real life. The detail in the illustrations enhance the mayhem that surrounds them. The excitement continues until they finish the game. They return the game under the tree in the park and we later see two boys running through the park that may have picked up the game. Leaving the reader to imagine the excitement around this extraordinary board game will continue. This book was suspenseful and fun! ( )