Jumanji

Jumanji - Chris Van Allsburg (also illustrated)
Caldecott Award Winner
Houghton Mifflin Company
ISBN: 0-395-30448-2

My rating: 4.5 out of 5

Like many people, when I think of "Jumanji," I immediatly think of the movie of the same name. I was not aware that it had been a book.

I really enjoyed this book and it's message stressing the importance of reading directions before doing something. The story was short, but it was very captivating. As you read this, you are constantly wanting to know what will happen next, whether it be a monkeys in the kitchen or rhinos in the hall.

There are pictures on every other page, also illustrated by Van Allsburg. Even though they are in black and white, they are richly detailed and really make the scene come to life.

"Jumanji" is a fantastic book that children of all ages will enjoy.

Where The Wild Things Are

Where The Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak (also illustrated)
Caldecott Award Winner
Harper Collins Publishers
ISBN: 0-06-025493-9

My rating: 2 out of 5

I've been a fan of Maurice Sendak ever since I read "Little Bear" at my grandma's years ago. However, I can't say that I am a big fan of this particular title. The main character, Max, is a little brat whose room is transformed into a jungle, where he soon becomes king of "The Wild Things." He returns home to find his supper waiting for him. I feel that Max is the wrong kind of character to be featured in a book such as this - he is the same at the end of the story as he was at the beginning. It almost encourages kids to just go and do whatever they want.

One thing I did enjoy though, was Sendak's illustrations. They are richly detailed, and yet, still maintain a certain cartoon-feeling about them.

"Where The Wild Things Are" is not Sendak's best work, but it would work well as a quick read-aloud, but I am not sure if a teacher would be able to use it to connect it to another subject. It may be best to leave this one for leasure time.