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The Polar Express


The Polar Express


Best Price: $18.95

Product Features
  • Magical Christmas book
  • Fun locomotive adventure
  • Delightful storybook
  • Based on the popular motion picture
  • For ages 5 and up
Editorial Reviews
Product Description

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa. "As always, the forms are sculptured, the perspectives as dazzling as they are audacious, the colors rich and elegant, the use of light and shadow masterly." -- Horn Book ALA Notable Book Booklist Editors' Choice Horn Book Fanfare Selection New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year Reading Rainbow Review Book

Amazon.com Review

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 rings with vitality and wonder. 25th Anniversary Edition Includes To commemorate this special anniversary, a lavish gift edition has been created. The set includes a silver foil border, a CD audio recording read by Liam Neeson, a note from Chris Van Allsburg, and a silvery keepsake "All Aboard" ornament.

Amazon Exclusive: A Letter from Chris Van Allsburg Dear Amazon Readers, Over the past twenty-five years, many people have shared stories with me about the effect that reading The Polar Express has had on their families and on their celebration of Christmas. One of the most poignant was told to me five or six years ago at a book signing in the Midwest, on a snowy December evening. As I inscribed a book to a woman in her sixties, she told me that it was the second copy she had owned, and wanted to know if she could she tell me what had happened to the first. "Of course," I answered. A dozen years earlier the woman, who had no children of her own, befriended a neighbor, a boy of about seven, named Eddie. He would often cross his driveway to visit her. She had a collection of picture books, which she read to him, but around the holidays, the only story he ever wanted to hear, over and over, was The Polar Express. One year she offered to give him the book, but Eddie declined because he wanted to hear her read it aloud to him, which she continued to do every year until the boy and his family moved away. Years later the woman learned from a mutual acquaintance that Eddie had grown up and become a soldier. He was stationed in Iraq. Since Christmas was approaching, the woman decided to send him a gift box. She included candy, cookies, socks, and her old copy of The Polar Express. She wasn't sure what a nineteen-year-old battle-weary soldier would do with the book in an army barracks in the Middle East, but she wanted him to have it. A month later, after the holidays had passed, she received a letter from Eddie. He told her he was very happy to have heard from her and to get the box of gifts. He had opened it in his barracks, just before curfew, with some of his fellow GIs already in their bunks. A soldier in the next bunk spotted the book. He knew it well from his own childhood and asked Eddie to read it. "Out loud?" he asked. "Yeah," his buddy told him. Eddie, quietly and a little self-consciously, read The Polar Express. When he'd finished and closed the book, a moment of silence passed. Then from behind him a voice called out, "Read it again," and another joined in, "Yeah, read it again," and a third added, "This time, louder." So Eddie did. He wrote to the woman that he'd stood up and read it to his comrades just the way he remembered she had read it to him. All aboard, Chris Van Allsburg

Recipes and Activities to Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of The Polar Express (Click on Images for the Recipe or Activity [PDF])

Snacks for Santa Candy Cane Sugar Cookies Polar Chocolate Nougat Caramel Squares Christmas Snowball Cookies Hot Chocolate Fun and Games A Polar Express Word Search A Polar Express Crossword A Polar Express Maze A Polar Express Drawing Sheet

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Customer Reviews
Catherine Fagnano Alvey Said: Christmas Classic ( Nov. 3rd 2009 )
First of all, the illustrations in this book are simply fantastic. I remember, as a child, being enamored with the wonderful pages filled with pitctures of the train, the children, the christmas scenery, and, in particular, the illustration of the wolves. Secondly, this is a fantastic christmas story suited for not only children, but adults. A true Christmas Classic, this story has never become tiresome, and I loved it as a kid and fondly remember reading this with my family when I was young. This is a great story that can be shared with your entire family.
Nelaine Sanchez Said: A Christmas Tradition ( Oct. 7th 2009 )
Since Christmas is right around the corner, I thought reading The Polar Express would be a fun get in the Christmas spirit type of read and I was not disappointed. This book holds all the magic of Christmas within it's covers. It is a true Christmas Classic. The illustrations were a sight to behold as well. I also saw the movie and although it is a bit different from the book I enjoyed it immensely - so did my little ones.
J. A. Donahue Said: Polar Express ( Oct. 2nd 2009 )
Polar Express was everything I expected. The pictures in the book were awesome and it was delivered in perfect condition. I know that my little niece is going to LOVE this at Christmastime.
Irene B. Cantwell Said: Believe ( Sep. 12th 2009 )
This is a beautiful book. Both the story and the beautiful illistrated pictures. My husband and I gave this book to our boys when they were 7 and 4 years old. He would read it to them every Christmas Eve. Now I am passing this on to my Grandson. So my Son can continue the tradition.
Sue Ametsreiter Said: fantastic story and a great bargain ( Mar. 31st 2009 )
What a great story and this set was a great bargain. I got this for my grandchildren.

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