Zathura

Jumanji #2

by Chris Van Allsburg

Acclaimed author Chris Van Allsburg’s daring companion to Caldecott-award winning Jumanji—a tale of intergalactic adventure and sibling rivalry where a roll the dice transports two brothers to the mythical land of Zathura.

On the last page of the Caldecott-winning book Jumanji, young Danny Budwing is seen running after his brother, Walter, with a game tucked under his arm. Now after twenty years, Chris Van Allsburg is ready to reveal what happens when Danny and Walter roll the dice. This time the name of the game is Zathura and the battling Budwing boys are in for the ride of their lives.

The first book in seven years by Chris Van Allsburg, Zathura is a dramatic adventure that promises a breathtaking and unforgettable experience. At the story's end which becomes, miraculously, the beginning, we find that Walter's feelings for his little brother are greatly altered.

Only the mind and hand of Chris Van Allsburg’s could create this fantastic world where shifts in time and space and perspective take the reader on such an extraordinary journey. In double spread illustrations that shimmer against the surreal events of the story, readers will be holding their breath with each new threat the boys face in the satisfying enigma that is Zathura.

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Childrens, Science Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Space

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2002

About the author

Chris was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 18, 1949, the second child of Doris Christiansen Van Allsburg and Richard Van Allsburg. His sister Karen was born in 1947.

Chris’s paternal grandfather, Peter, owned and operated a creamery, a place where milk was turned into butter, cream, cottage cheese, and ice cream. It was named East End Creamery and after they bottled the milk (and made the other products) they delivered it to homes all around Grand Rapids in yellow and blue trucks.

When Chris was born, his family lived in an old farm house next door to the large brick creamery building. It was a very old house that, like the little house in Virginia Lee Burton’s story, had once looked over farmland. But by 1949, the house was surrounded by buildings and other houses. Chris’s father ran the dairy with Chris’s three uncles after his grandfather Peter retired.

When Chris was three years old, his family moved to a new house at the edge of Grand Rapids that was part of a development; a kind of planned neighborhood, that was still being built.

There remained many open fields and streams and ponds where a boy could catch minnows and frogs, or see a firefly at night. It was about a mile and a half to Breton Downs School, which Chris walked to every day and attended until 6th grade, when the Van Allsburg family moved again.

The next house they lived in was an old brick Tudor Style house in East Grand Rapids. It was a street that looked like the street on the cover of The Polar Express. The houses were all set back the same distance from the street. Between the street and the sidewalk grew enormous Elm trees whose branches reached up and touched the branches of the trees on the other side of the street. Chris moved to this street with his mom, dad, sister, and two Siamese cats. One named Fafner and the other name Eloise.

Chris went to junior and senior high school in East Grand Rapids. He didn’t take art classes during this time. His interests and talents seemed to be more in the area of math and science.

Reviews

[Alex ☣ Deranged KittyCat ☣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

First there was Jumanji. Then came Danny and Walter, and they found Zathura. If the first board game was set in the jungle, the second one took the two boys to outer space.



Again, quite different from the movie version, but interesting nonetheless.

[Lee (the Book Butcher) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was zathura and even Jumanji just a fictive dream. Maybe not Jumanji but zathura maybe. But hey it's for kids so forget the plot holes and weird ending it's a book about magic books so roll with it. Like this better than Jumanji but the plot hole and Walter fictive dream make this 3 stars fun read though. Jumanji movie better but zathura book better.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork is magnificent and I think being a space tale, it would have benefited from hyper color. This is in black and white.

I think the story is exciting and fun and the ending was too easy. This is the sequel to Jumanji and I enjoy both of these. I wonder why he didn't come up with another game. He could do under the ocean or prehistoric or something. They are a lot of fun.

The kids had fun with this book. My nephew is robot crazy and he loved the robot even though it was malfunctioning.

[Book2Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book for siblings, in particular brothers. A fight between the brothers ends when a game is found, and the adventures start.
This is by the author of Jumanji, which I've yet to catch up to, and he is also the illustrator. He's quite accomplished at both. The illustrations are superb.
Highly recommended.

[scl.ashx · Rating 4 out of 5]

The movie Jumanji and Zathura are adaptations..and they are written by the same author...mind blown ....loved both the books 🙌🏻

[Mika · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book as well as the first film was way scarier when I first watched it as a kid than the second one. I'm not sure if it's 'cause I think animals seem more scary than space (which makes no sense) or 'cause the relationship between the siblings is (even) more wholesome than the first siblings making the atmosphere overall more lighthearted. Or, if I remember correctly, the ruttling sound of the game was heard more often in the first film than the second one (yes, I was afraid of it back then).

But that doesn't make the book less enjoyable. I really liked this one too as it was different and not just the same thing all over again. It was a smart move by keeping the iconic board game and just switching the theme (from animals to space). I think, if keeping the pattern one could have made even more books and films.

The two brothers were also charming and I liked the most their re-accuring interaction about how to say 'you and I' and not 'me and you':

"Me and you, together. We can do it."

Walter cradled the dice in his hand and sighed. "You and I." he said wearily. "You and I." He looked at his little brother, who was grinning. "That's right." said Danny. "Together."

StoryGraph review

[catherine ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this movie, and I didn’t know it was based on a book either. I loved the drawings a lot :’)

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

So the postman delivered to me Zathura yesterday (I am impressed I managed to last this long before picking it up to read), and I have to say that it was very enjoyable.

I did not realise that there is over 20 years between this and the first book (Jamanji - and yes I had to look it up to believe it) as without giving the book storyline away - although I think everyone knows the film - the continuation of the story is set up in the last pages of the book.

So here we are 20 years or so later and the story picks up again - with just as amazing artwork and gentle story telling - this is one of those books which although often over used does fit the description of timeless.

Though obviously different to the film it still has the sense of wonder and fun in it and I have to say it only increases my respect and admiration of the author. A great read and one I know I will pick up again even if only to marvel at the artwork

[#AskMissPatience · Rating 5 out of 5]

New take on Chris Allsburg’s Jumangi, enjoyed Zathura being read to me via YouTube at https://youtu.be/GlFykC8ZQs4 after the library offered a digital audio copy. Being a visual and this is traditionally read to children means I need drawings to accompany Mr. Allsburg’s Art.

The narrator added sound effects like rolling dice, robotic and alien voices at appropriate times making this way more fun for me 😁

For activities have students design their own adventure game. Possibly in small groups or as a class. They can act out the space landed on in their game.

These can be cross curriculum: doing various creative arts, literature, and behavior management in regards to following directions. Waiting and taking turns. Using words.

Mr. Allsburg is one of my favorite author illustrators. We are never too old to read children’s books. Especially as adults who love youngsters. Assisting small to growing humans as life long learners through imaginative literature is one of our greatest gifts we can offer ❤️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💯

[Nour (FREE PALESTINE) Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well the was underwhelming

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great! It would definitely be best to read Jumanji before reading this. It's kind of like a sequel because it happens right after Jumanji, but you don't need to read Jumanji to understand it.

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't even know there was a book. Same with Jumanji. Saw the movie first and it was alright.
Interesting but alright.
This one was good.

[N_amandascholz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book evidently is the "sequel" to Chris Van Allsburg's much loved Jumanji. At the end of the earlier book, brothers Walter and Danny Budwing find the discarded Jumanji game in the local park and take it home. The older brother, Walter, is stuck babysitting his annoying younger brother, Danny, and ignores the "little fungus" as he begins to play the newly discovered game. Bored by the jungle theme, Danny searches the box and finds a second game with a different board. Instead of a continuation of jungle adventures, this sequel presents a board game about space travel, malfunctioning robots, and brother-swallowing black holes. Danny's actions propel the brothers and their house into outer space on a journey toward the planet Zathura. As with Jumanji, each role of the dice brings peril and unanticipated danger. The boys initially accept the meteor shower that punches holes in the roof of their house without much fluster. But as the game continues and the dangers get more menacing, the brothers' anxiety increases and they work together to arrive safely back home.
The sibling rivalry that sets up the story is realistic and funny, especially an illustration of Walter pinching his younger brother's nose at a perceived insult. The Zathura game brings the brothers closer together; in fact, Danny earns the respect of his previously exasperated older brother. I really liked that story trait; the book was not just about the crazy adventures started by the game. Within the fantastic elements of the narrative was embedded this very realistic pair of brothers who, in the end, learned to appreciate each other.
The illustrations are completed in Van Allsburg's signature black and grays. This range of hues complimented the space scenario, a cold, dark and forbidding place. Within the pictures, Van Allsburg includes many patterns like the lines of the wood floor and the flower pattern in the wallpaper. These patterns present clear and secure boundaries against the infinity of space, frighteningly placed outside the brothers' window.
I think younger children can enjoy the illustrations while older children will enjoy how the pictures compliment the text. I don't know what "larger lessons" or "questions" the book raises for classrooms. As an adult, I can glean a lot from the text, especially thinking about the contrast between the security of the home and the scary outside world invading and threatening that home. For kids, it is a fun book, full of unexpected turns especially if a reader is not familiar with Jumanji. Children may pick up on that contrast, and, if they do, Van Allsburg provides an age-appropriate transition back to the world before the game started. Although, the ending makes me wonder about another sequel...

[Spens (Sphynx Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story but I liked the movie SO much more.

[Christi]

As happens in fantasy stories, this book starts out by introducing the characters within a familiar setting. Brothers Walter and Danny are first seen fighting in their bedroom, establishing that they are in a reality that is known to us. The story starts by showing the readers that Walter and Danny are against each other, earlier when fighting over broken toys and later in the story when they are playing the game against each other. Walter and Danny's parents leave the two alone. Danny wants to play catch with Walter, but Walter does not. They continue to fight, but when Danny runs away and his brother follows, Danny finds a board game. The game is Jumanji, but underneath the boring board game is a different game, full of planets and stars and space. Danny is curious, so he starts to play.

A card appears, and Danny reads it confused. "Meteor showers, take evasive action" it reads. This is the point that the fantasy elements come into play, as this is when a meteor crashes through the roof of the house. Walter is initially skeptical, but he soon cannot deny that something is going on. The two realize they are in outer space, as outside their door is a planet. They realize they have to finish the game if they want to return home. So Walter and Danny play, experiencing zero gravity, a malfunctioning gyroscope, a defective robot bent on destroying them, experiencing a dramatic increase in gravity, photon attacks, and space pirate raids. Finally, the boys decide to roll together to end the game. Walter is sucked into a black hole, allowing him to go back in time. Walter arrives right as Danny finds the board game. Walter takes Danny out of playing, suggesting that they play catch instead.

The story emphases the importance of playing together, and not fighting. It captures the relationship between older and younger siblings, where you love each other but sometimes the other just irritates you. The illustrations in the book are black & white, or gray-scale, taking up the entire two page spread. The illustrations give a visualization to what is going on in the narration and through the dialog, it does not move the story along by itself. The story shows aspects of fantasy, establishing reality before introduction a new one, and science fiction by incorporating concepts that are scientifically possible.

[Gillianne Litvack]

One night two children Walter and Danny are left at home for the night while their parents go out. Walter and Danny immediately go at it, pulling on his nose and ears when they come across a board game called “Jumanji”. When they found it, Walter declared this was a ‘baby game’ and he wanted nothing to do with it. When they got back inside, Danny opened the box to see what was inside. When he opened it, there was a plain board, dice, pieces, and even another board underneath it all. Danny banged the box until the board came out, he discovered that this board was much cooler, with outer space and planets all over it. He inspected the board until he noticed a little slit in the side and out popped a green card. He read the card aloud, ‘meteor shower, take abrasive action’ and before he could ask Walter what it mean, meteors begin pelting through the house. Before they knew it the kids were in space, dealing with whatever move Jumanji chooses for them. The house begins flying through space, the kids floating all around the house, banging into furniture and avoiding a hole in the ceiling from the meteors. Out of nowhere comes a robot, with the intention to kill alien lifeform that they have detected. As the kids roll the dice, it creates a new situation they have to deal with, like increases in gravity. They encounter alien spaceships trying to shoot their house down, alien pirates and a black hole that even began engulfing Walter whole. Before he even got a chance to apologize to his little brother Danny he was completely engulfed. Walter flies through space into darkness until he crashes to the floor, back on the ground outside with his little brother Danny. They come across the board game, but this time Walter throws it away and plays catch with his brother anyways. This story is a great representation of appreciating family for who they are and not taking advantage of the love and company of those closest to you.

[Courtney Ennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book is a fantasy and science fiction book. It is the sequel to the book Jumanji, which is also written by the author Chris Van Allsburg. This book starts out where the other one left off which is when the two boys run outside to the park and find the board game. They take it back to their house and younger brother opens it up. He finds the game but thinks it looks boring but then he sees underneath there is another game. It’s a board game called Zathura. The boy rolls the dice, takes the card and reads it. Then a meteor shower hits right through the ceiling of their house. They open up the door and see that they are now in outer space. They roll again and the next thing that happens is the loss of gravity. They keep playing the game until the last roll comes. It’s a black hole that takes them back in time for an hour. He disappears and ends up back in the park with his brother where they started. He picks up the games throws it away and they decide to play catch instead.

I liked this book because it was a continuation of the first one. I liked how this time it was outer space and focused more on the science fiction aspect. The illustrations were also in black and white and had a lot of detail to them, which was really good. The whole story line was clever because he really thought out of the box. It also makes you think what is going to happen next because there are so many things going on. Like the other book, I thought there was just too much text on each page. I know he had a lot of information to get it across but there is a lot to read for a picture book. It still was really good and does a good job explaining everything in the pictures. I also saw the movie, which follows along closely to the book. It was really good and I really hope everyone gets a chance to read this one.

[Nicole Bills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg is a classic science fiction picture book. I would use this text for grades 3-5. The brothers in the story discover a board game that allows them to enter space, making for a thrilling and interesting plot. Many science/space concepts are brought up in the story, such as: robots, zero gravity, gravity surpluses, and black holes.

I would use this book to discuss different aspects of space, such as: meteors, black holes, gravity, etc. This book shows what happens when there's not enough gravity and what happens when Earth is not on its axis anymore. I could also use this book to have students draw inferences about the characters, such as: why they think Walter had a change of heart at the end or why Danny picked up the game in the first place. In addition, the characters' actions throughout the story could be an important discussion to have. Walter made a huge transformation from beginning to end and this could be an important lesson for students to learn.

This book was a WOW book for me because I was curious to find out what would happen to the Budwing brothers next! Would the robot "destroy" them? Would the pirates destroy the house? I was surprised that Walter had a change of heart and it made me happy to finally see him being kind to his little brother.

[Katina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zathura is the continuation of the book Jumanji. The Budwig boys didn't always get along. Walter loved to torment his younger brother Danny. They found one thing in common: to play a game called Jumanji. As the boys begin to play they discover the game comes to life when a meteor falls through the ceiling and crashes into their television. The boys open their front door to find their home is in outer space. "You don't want to play this," he said. "Trust me, I tried it once." The book continues the with the same illustrations as Jumanji with black and white pencil colored illustrations. The story is very imaginative and is a great example of science fiction. Students in the third-fourth grades would appreciate Van Allsburg's imagination in the story. An activity I would suggest my students to do is to create their own game. What would be the object of the game? Students would share their ideas with their classmates by creating a gameboard.

[Cecelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chris Van Allsburg’s Zathura is an older title, but it is definitely a classic (as are almost all of Van Allsburg’s titles – this is the author behind Jumanji and The Polar Express, after all!). I was familiar with the title because I’ve seen the film based on this book starring a young Josh Hutcherson and Kristen Stewart. The story is quite a bit like Jumanji, actually – a pair of brothers find an old game about space, begin to play it, and discover that the game alters reality. Sci-fi elements include space travel, robots, aliens, and time travel. Van Allsburg’s black and white ink drawings illustrate the adventure in beautiful detail. My favorite bit is that the brothers go from antagonizing one another to working together and valuing each other, though things get iffy once or twice. Zathura will please the older end of the picture book crowd as well as the littlies (and it would be a great gift to accompany the film!).

[Victoria Leininger-halpern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following the same plot structure as Jumanji, this story is about two brothers who find a board game that launches their house into space, and the only way to defeat the things that come out of the game and get back home is to win. I really liked this story because the relationship between the brothers is very realistic, as many younger siblings don't get along and constantly fight. I also like it for the sci-fi aspect, as the drawings and descriptions of space are very interesting and captivating.

The illustrations in this book are very, very well-done, and I think the black and white adds a very nice, realism in such a fantastical story. I would recommend this story to any child who likes aliens and space, and especially any who may have a not-so-nice relationship with their siblings.

[Marie Hatheway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zathura is about two young brothers, Walter and Danny, who don’t get along very well. One evening, while their parents are away, Danny finds a board game and begins to play. The game takes the brothers and their house deep into outer space where, with every roll, things get stranger and stranger. That is until Walter gets sent back in time through a black hole and has a second shot at being a big brother.
Zathura is a high fantasy text that begins in the real world and transforms into a fantasy world in outer space. There is a series of outlandish events happen in space and the board game possesses magical powers. Walter is also involved in a time slip at the end of the book also contributing to characterizing this book as a fantasy.

[Chrissi Guarnieri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zathura is about two brothers who don't get along and are left home by their parents to entertain themselves. The brothers find a board game in the middle of a fight which leads them on a fantastical space adventure that doesn't end until one brother wins the game. The illustrations are full of the same detail and intrigue that Chris Van Allsburg is able to capture in other books he has written. In this case, however, I feel the illustrations outshine the story. This book was written almost 20 years after Jumanji but the story mirrors Jumanji closely except in setting.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleased to find out that this wasn't just a similar story to Jumanji but the continuing story! (So you will want to make sure you read this second). Still just as fun and creative as the first!

Allsburg's black and white illustrations are fantastic!

Ages: 4 - 7

Cleanliness: two brothers argue a lot but change in the end when they learn what's important. Name calling: "little fungus," and "babies like you." People say "Holy smoke" twice and "Jeez."

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.

[Heather Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is done like a sketch, very detailed and beautiful. The faces are very emotional and show a lot of expression. The text takes up a lot of the page, which I feel is distracting. The black and grey detailed art leaves a lot of room for imagination and really adds to the fantasy element.

The main characters are two brothers; Walter and Danny. The boys have been left at home while their parents went out. The two boys find and play a game that seems to come to life. They soon find themselves in outer space. There are supernatural elements and a science fiction feel. The book is obviously a fantasy story and most children will like to listen to or read this story alone.

[Ciara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zathura was a high fantasy children's book about two brothers who stumble across a game while home alone. As little brother Danny looked through the old Jumanji board game, there was another board stuck underneath it. He popped it out of the box and him and his brother soon learn that this game will lead to a gateway of adventure in space.
The book was definitely a science fiction story and it was high fantasy because it was weaved into scientific concepts. An example would be when Walter lost his gravity. When that happened, he got stuck to the ceiling. Now although a person can't just lose their gravity, they use gravity in the story, which is a scientific concept.

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two brothers left at home alone while their parents go out have found a board game that ends up giving them a much more magical experience then they intended to get. The boys start off in their living room (primary world) and get sent into outer space (secondary world) through the board game. their once normal house now acts there space ship and must complete the game in order to return to earth. I really enjoyed the illustrations in this story, because they would be of key scenes in the text. This is a great fantasy book that i recommend teachers read to their children.

[Gina Pecoraro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format: Picture Book
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

After twenty years, we find out what happens after Danny finds a game at the end of Jumanji. Danny and his brother Walter end of playing a game called Zathura and our taken on an out of this world journey.

I would read this book in the classroom only after reading Jumanji first. It would be neat to get the students' reactions from both books. They could compare the books and discuss what game they would rather play.

[Aryiel Vopalensky · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story two brothers are thrown into a fantastical world as they play through a board game. The illustrations are black and white realism. The lines are soft and the art takes up both pages with the text hovering inside. There is a significant amount of detail in the art style as it shows both movement and character expression. The illustrator keeps the realistic style as the game conjures up robots, planets, animals and meteors.

[Shaun Winters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read for an adult. It is interesting to read this, as I had just finished his "Jumanji" book and this is a direct sequel to that picture book. You can read them separately, but they fit rather nicely together. This is not as interesting as the "Jumanji" book, but it is still pretty fun to get through. Aliens, meteors, and all those wonderful spacey adventures you would expect from such a book. I would recommend it highly as a great story to tell to children.