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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
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.
I love to read this book each year at Christmastime. I super love the pictures.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg is a Christmas story that many people know. This young boy finds himself on a train to the North Pole, on Christmas Eve. While there he meets Santa Clause and receives the first gift of Christmas, a bell from Santa’s sleigh. When he gets back on the train to go home he finds that is robe pocket is empty. The next morning he finds the bell as a present from Santa. The bell continues to ring for those who truly believe. I enjoyed the illustrations because they were very cozy and remind me of that warm feeling around Christmas. He created these images through color art (Allsburg, 1985). I have read this book many times with my family and I always loved the story of a young boy finding hope and faith in Christmas even though some children his age do not believe. I thought the message and morals in the book are great ones to share with any age!
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Short but sweet! I wish I had read this as a kid, it probably would have been my favorite Christmas story.
I swore I had read this book, but it turns out I had not. What a wonderful story and I truly know that I can hear the bell.
Love this story of the power of believing. Van Allsburg really pulls the heartstrings.
A boy still believes in Santa, even though a friend has told him that there is no Santa. The Polar Express picks him up Christmas Eve and takes him to the North Pole.
Have wonderful memories of giving this to my nephew for Christmas (of course it came with a bell) and him running around my parents house ringing the bell and calling for Santa.
A boy still believes in Santa, even though a friend has told him that there is no Santa. The Polar Express picks him up Christmas Eve and takes him to the North Pole.
Have wonderful memories of giving this to my nephew for Christmas (of course it came with a bell) and him running around my parents house ringing the bell and calling for Santa.
I used to listen to the accompanying cassette tape along with the book. William Hurt narrated this so much better than Liam Neeson. Enchanting.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
small boy awakens to find a train outside his door that takes him to the North Pole. He is given a bell of Santa's sleigh, but he looses it before he returns home. He awakens Christmas Morning to find the bell on the tree.