Zarmanji and Juthura

What do Peter Benchley and Chris von Allsburg have in common?

They both wrote the same story multiple times. They are obviously both American and followed the 'if it was ever a good thing, stick to it' way of life.

Peter Benchley wrote:

• 'Jaws', about a big killer shark menacing a small island;
• 'the Beast', about a big killer squid manacing a small coastal village; and
• 'Creature', about an amphibious shark-like monster tha terrorizes an abandoned secret military base and the people who live on the island it is located on.

Chris von Allsburg wrote:

• 'Jumanji', about a jungle based board game becoming 'real'; and
• 'Zarthura', about a space based board game becoming 'real'.

These 'artists' must be proud of the sweep of concepts their canons encompass.

I, however, prefer someone capable of a little more diversity, like Roger Hargreaves with his Mr Men franchise. Now theres good story telling! And no repetition in concepts from book to book.

Surely even the children at whom Jumanji and Zarthura are pitched are wise enough to realise that they're receiving the same bollocks twice.

Next Chris'll write about a TV game show that becomes 'real' like Survivor or some shit.