Chris Van Allsburg has been delighting kids as well as parents for generations with the gorgeous, hand-drawn illustrations he creates for his wonderful, whimsical chapter books. Intended for kids aged 9-12, Van Allsburg’s books are ideal for bridging the gap between picture books and chapter books.
Finally, two of his best-loved, Caldecott Medal -winning works have arrived in Kindle format.
Jumanji (4/5 stars, currently priced at $9.48)
One Amazon reviewer says:
When Judy and Peter find a board game in the park, they take it home, hoping to alleviate their boredom. One live lion, an erupting volcano, and a dozen destructive monkeys later, the children are no longer bored. Their jungle adventure game has come to life! Chris Van Allsburg is a master at walking the line between fantasy and reality. His unusually sculptured drawings (familiar to the many devoted fans of the Caldecott-winning The Polar Express and The Garden of Abdul Gasazi) convey the magical transition of a normal house to an exotic jungle. Readers will tremble along with Judy and Peter, urging them to roll the dice that will plunge them from one perilous predicament into another. Jumanji, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book and winner of the 1982 Caldecott Medal, is sure to amaze and thrill even the most jaded young reader.
Jumanji has been adapted into a thrilling movie (PG, 4.5/5 stars), now available as an Amazon Instant Video.
The Polar Express (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $12.99)
In 1986 The Polar Express was awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal and hit the New York Times bestseller list. Since that time, more than six and a half million copies have been sold, and every December it faithfully reappears on national bestseller lists. In 2004, The Polar Express became a blockbuster holiday movie.
One Amazon reviewer says:
One couldn’t select a more delightful and exciting premise for a children’s book than the tale of a young boy lying awake on Christmas Eve only to have Santa Claus sweep by and take him on a trip with other children to the North Pole. And one couldn’t ask for a more talented artist and writer to tell the story than Chris Van Allsburg. Allsburg, a sculptor who entered the genre nonchalantly when he created a children’s book as a diversion from his sculpting, won the 1986 Caldecott Medal for this book, one of several award winners he’s produced.
The Polar Express is also available as an Amazon Instant Video (G, 4/5 stars).