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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It is a lovely and simple story worh beautiful illustrations. It truly if for children, it is not as fun for adults like the Grinch book in my opinion.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
A modern Holiday classic. As a book it's quite a simple children's story without tons of detail, but still manages to get the point across. Which is what makes the movie so unreal. The book gets all the credit for the idea and the story and the premise, but this is a rare case where the movie is actually better. They brought it to life in unimaginable ways and added so much depth to the adventure and most importantly to the characters. But for a kids book - can't beat it. Spread the joy and buy a copy for the young person in your life.
I haven't seen the movie so I can't compare the book to that. But I heard this book is shorter and less adventure-filled than the movie. Indeed it is, because while I read, I didn't feel that engaged with the story.
Awards: The Caldecott 1986
Plot:
As a young boy strains to hear the bells on Santa’s Sleigh from his bed, instead he hears the sound of a train whistle. Going outside he finds it is the Polar Express. The conductor invites him aboard and they are off. On board were many other children and they are offered goodies and treats while they watch wintery scenes whisk by on their way to the North Pole. When they get to the North Pole the city is empty for all the elves have gathered in the main square waiting for the children. In the center are Santa and his sleigh where he will chose a child to give the first gift of Christmas.
To the young boy’s surprise Santa choses him. Humbly he asks only for a bell on Santa’s sleigh and his request is granted. An elf cuts off one of the bells from the reindeer and gives it to the boy. Tragically, when the other children ask to see the bell he finds that he has lost the bell through a hole in his robe pocket. All is not lost, however, for under the tree, Christmas morning, he finds the bell with a note from Santa saying to fix the hole in his pocket. Only he and his sister are able to hear the bell ring because they are true believers and as he grows up and grows old he is the only one who never loses the ability to hear the bell ring.
Review:
There is no time of year I love better than Christmas and “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allen encapsulates all the feelings of Christmas. The story takes you on a magical journey to a place all children would love to visit, and takes you there in luxury. The Polar Express takes you through beautiful landscapes and eerie winter scenes in comfort and warmth with hot chocolate (my favorite) and candy. Then when we reach the North Pole, not only do we get to meet Santa, but he chooses us to receive the first gift of Christmas. When the gift is lost and all hope is gone it is found again under the Christmas tree. This is the fantasy of any child who loves Santa and it is beautifully written.
Chris Van Allen is a very talented multi-award winning author and he really does bring the Christmas spirit to life in “The Polar Express.” I love that only a true believer in Santa Clause can hear the bell ring, and I love that he never stops believing. That he never loses that childhood innocence that lets him believe. Sometimes children can be in such a hurry to grow up that they lose the belief in extraordinary things.
As beautiful as the story is what really brings everything together is the illustrations. The pictures are all large covering two pages and are in a beautiful style that is both very real, dreamlike and a little old fashioned. For instance his bedroom and the Christmas tree scenes show a house with simple furnishings and older toys. I also like that there are children from all nationalities on the train emphasizing that Santa visits boys and girls all over the world.
This book brings Christmas magic and mystery to life.
Plot:
As a young boy strains to hear the bells on Santa’s Sleigh from his bed, instead he hears the sound of a train whistle. Going outside he finds it is the Polar Express. The conductor invites him aboard and they are off. On board were many other children and they are offered goodies and treats while they watch wintery scenes whisk by on their way to the North Pole. When they get to the North Pole the city is empty for all the elves have gathered in the main square waiting for the children. In the center are Santa and his sleigh where he will chose a child to give the first gift of Christmas.
To the young boy’s surprise Santa choses him. Humbly he asks only for a bell on Santa’s sleigh and his request is granted. An elf cuts off one of the bells from the reindeer and gives it to the boy. Tragically, when the other children ask to see the bell he finds that he has lost the bell through a hole in his robe pocket. All is not lost, however, for under the tree, Christmas morning, he finds the bell with a note from Santa saying to fix the hole in his pocket. Only he and his sister are able to hear the bell ring because they are true believers and as he grows up and grows old he is the only one who never loses the ability to hear the bell ring.
Review:
There is no time of year I love better than Christmas and “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allen encapsulates all the feelings of Christmas. The story takes you on a magical journey to a place all children would love to visit, and takes you there in luxury. The Polar Express takes you through beautiful landscapes and eerie winter scenes in comfort and warmth with hot chocolate (my favorite) and candy. Then when we reach the North Pole, not only do we get to meet Santa, but he chooses us to receive the first gift of Christmas. When the gift is lost and all hope is gone it is found again under the Christmas tree. This is the fantasy of any child who loves Santa and it is beautifully written.
Chris Van Allen is a very talented multi-award winning author and he really does bring the Christmas spirit to life in “The Polar Express.” I love that only a true believer in Santa Clause can hear the bell ring, and I love that he never stops believing. That he never loses that childhood innocence that lets him believe. Sometimes children can be in such a hurry to grow up that they lose the belief in extraordinary things.
As beautiful as the story is what really brings everything together is the illustrations. The pictures are all large covering two pages and are in a beautiful style that is both very real, dreamlike and a little old fashioned. For instance his bedroom and the Christmas tree scenes show a house with simple furnishings and older toys. I also like that there are children from all nationalities on the train emphasizing that Santa visits boys and girls all over the world.
This book brings Christmas magic and mystery to life.
Such a beautiful book to use for imagination or holiday lessons. Also could be used for students who want to believe in Santa Claus, but people are telling them that he doesn't exist (which is just wrong.)
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This is a simple and cute children’s story about the power of believing in something magical and pure and ultimately how a lot of people grow up and lose that sense of magic.
It’s a hard story to look back on now that I’m in my 30’s. I obviously don’t believe in Santa anymore and I still love the magic and the wonder that comes with the winter season but even that’s hard to do some days. I wonder if at some point I won’t be able to hear the bell anymore?
The art in this book is gorgeous and that alone makes it worth reading and soaking in the visuals.
It’s a hard story to look back on now that I’m in my 30’s. I obviously don’t believe in Santa anymore and I still love the magic and the wonder that comes with the winter season but even that’s hard to do some days. I wonder if at some point I won’t be able to hear the bell anymore?
The art in this book is gorgeous and that alone makes it worth reading and soaking in the visuals.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Catching Up...
This story book, also a Caldecott winner (the most distinguished American picture book for children), is probably most well-known as a major motion picture.
The illustrations are an impressionist style of art portraying various scenes through oil pastels. Sometimes blurred to give a sense of drama.
The story is about a magical train ride on Christmas eve for a boy heading to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus.
Mostly…
This boy wants to believe…
Is Santa Claus real?
Would a Santa sleigh bell provide him the answer he needs?
“Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe.”
This story book, also a Caldecott winner (the most distinguished American picture book for children), is probably most well-known as a major motion picture.
The illustrations are an impressionist style of art portraying various scenes through oil pastels. Sometimes blurred to give a sense of drama.
The story is about a magical train ride on Christmas eve for a boy heading to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus.
Mostly…
This boy wants to believe…
Is Santa Claus real?
Would a Santa sleigh bell provide him the answer he needs?
“Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe.”
This book was alright. The illustrations beautiful as always. However, I didn't find the actual story as inspiring as some of his other work. I did like the idea of the Christmas bell, though. I know a lot of kids that love this book and the girls I babysit enjoyed it when I read it to them. So, I do think that it makes for a good read aloud.