• Age: 4 to 7
• Grade: p to 2

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

Taking place whereJumanjiended, older brother Walter warns his pesky little brother Danny not to bring home the mysterious board game they find at the park. But when Danny’s curiosity gets the better of him, the brothers have to battle homicidal robots, Zyborg pirates, and giant meteors in their living room! Will this dynamic duo learn to work together before it’s too late? In double spread illustrations that shimmer against the surreal events of the story, readers will be holding their breath with eachnew threat the boys face in the satisfying enigma that is Zathura.

Chris Van Allsburg's profile page

Chris Van Allsburgis the winner of two Caldecott Medals, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, as well as the recipient of a Caldecott Honor Book for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi . The author and illustrator of numerous picture books for children, he has also been awarded the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children's literature. In 1982, Jumanji was nominated for a National Book Award and in 1996, it was made into a popular feature film. Chris Van Allsburg is a former instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design. Visit him at chrisvanallsburg.com.

On the twentieth anniversary of Jumanji, Van Allsburg picks up right where his Caldecott Medal book left off, with similarly terrifying adventure set this time in outer space.
Booklist, ALA, Starred Review

"Van Allsburg illustrates the surreal events in a grainy charcoal-black that seems to shimmer on a rough, cream-colored ground...Zathura, like Jumanji, is a satisfying enigma." Publishers Weekly

“Van Allsburg is a terrific illustrator, and his images here, including one where the boys open their front door and are greeted with a breathtaking views of the cosmos, are memorable.” The New York Times Book Review

“The angles of view, are, as always, wonderfully dramatic…” Kirkus Reviews

“The shadowy black-and-white tones of Van Allsburg’s illustration recall 1950’s science-fiction films…” The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“One can’t help but anticipating the encore.” School Library Journal