The Heroes of Chris Van Allsburg in 'Jumanji' and 'Zathura'

Abstract

In the world of imagination, everything is real and possible for the reader. The awe and wonder of imagination serve as tools to broaden the minds and horizons of children. Imaginary worlds make it possible for child readers to travel to places familiar and unfamiliar, to time periods different from the one they know, and to fantastical worlds never before experienced. Having written and illustrated over twenty books, Chris Van Allsburg, one of the authors of contemporary American Children’s Literature, is well-known for his love of the fantasy genre. Most of Van Allsburg’s books lie within the uncertain boundaries between reality and fantasy. Written two decades apart, both Jumanji: A Jungle Adventure Game and Zathura: A Space Adventure take the child reader to the world of imagination by blurring the boundaries between reality and fantasy through a board game. The books both demonstrate how this fantasy world invades the real world, arousing curiosity, fascination, and excitement in the reader. In Van Allsburg’s stories, the protagonists set out on an adventure that changes them for the better and teaches them something important over the course of the story. The author’s message is often found by reading between the lines; thus, his stories invite the reader to enter a surreal world in order to track down clues and uncover hidden lessons such as the power of teamwork and collaboration and/or the importance of perseverance and persistence. Through a close reading of Jumanji: A Jungle Adventure Game and Zathura: A Space Adventure, this study aims to explore the hidden lessons of Chris Van Allsburg and how they influence the heroes of both stories, and thereby the child readers, to change for the better.