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"JUMANJI" is a 1981 short fantasy story; written and illustrated by the American author Chris Van Allsburg. The book focuses on a brother and sister finding an eponymous magical board game that implements real animals and other jungle elements as the players are playing the game; thus the dangers which the players have to overcome in the game also appear in real life. They are both terrified of the effects brought out by the "JUMANJI" game but continue to play as it will not be over until they finish the game.

Legacy[]

"ZATHURA", another short story written by Van Allsburg, has also been adapted to film; its story also involves children who find a magic board game, but the theme is science fiction rather than jungle fiction. The book picks up where "JUMANJI" left off, where child brothers Danny and Walter discover the "ZATHURA" game, revealed to be on the inside of "JUMANJI's" box.

"JUMANJI", a film based on this book. Unlike the book, the film has new characters like Alan Parrish, Sarah Whittle, and the Guide's place is taken by the great white hunter; Van Pelt.

In 1996, an animated adaptation known as simply "JUMANJI" was released. It is an abridged adaption of the 1995 film with some elements also taken from the original picture book were added.

In 2005, an adaptation of the original "JUMANJI" book's sequel "ZATHURA", was released. While the movie does not make any references to the 1995 film, it is advertised as being a spiritual sequel to "JUMANJI", taking place within the same universe.

In celebration of the book's 30th anniversary, an audiobook read by "JUMANJI" film star Robin Williams was released.

"JUMANJI: Welcome to the Jungle" was released in December 2017. It serves as a sequel of the series, being in continuity with the original film, but not featuring any of the characters.

The 2018 HMV "JUMANJI" Steelbook, which was deliberately released to coincide with the new "JUMANJI" film, included the 1995 "JUMANJI" film, an animated edition of the original "JUMANJI" storybook read by author Chris Van Allsburg, the first two episodes of the "JUMANJI" animated series and a sneak peek at Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

After the critical and financial success of the 2017 film, "JUMANJI: The Next Level", making it the third film based on Allsburg's original book.

Trivia[]

  • Fritz, a bull terrier in all of Chris Van Allsburg's books, appears as a toy dog on wheels in the third illustration.
  • Out of the four adult characters, none of them have visible faces in any of the pictures.
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