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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
I use to work a Polar Express train for the kids and I was dressed as the Chef! So much fun! Needless to say I have heard this book read more times than I can count!
I can see why this book won the Caldecott Medal. It is a great book to read on a night in Advent, cuddled up under a blanket with some hot chocolate. I enjoyed the book much more than the movie with Tom Hanks. The book deals more with the joy and wonder of journeying to the North Pole.
The jingle bell can point to some truths of the faith, as well, if you think about it. Just as the sacraments are both spiritual and physical, the jingle bell is a physical reminder of a truth that most (older) people cannot see, and not seeing it, do not believe in it.
My Favorite Picture:
The kid in his bed peering out the window.
The jingle bell can point to some truths of the faith, as well, if you think about it. Just as the sacraments are both spiritual and physical, the jingle bell is a physical reminder of a truth that most (older) people cannot see, and not seeing it, do not believe in it.
My Favorite Picture:
The kid in his bed peering out the window.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wasn’t able to read during the holidays so decided to read now and it’s a classic.
lighthearted
fast-paced
2024: read this to my newborn and she seemed entralled by the pictures. It was a pleasure to read it to her.
A very short, but charming little Christmas story - one that I'll definitely be reading to my kids someday ❤️
The Polar Express was OK, but it didn't grab me as much as it seems to have others, possibly because it wasn't one of the Christmas books of my childhood. I liked the artwork much more than the story. The story had all of the elements of a pretty good heartwarming tale of Christmas, but greatly simplified for children. Each time I have read it, it has been for children. Today it was for our Primary Christmas party. I quite enjoyed sitting in a big chair with children gathered all around sitting on the floor in front of me, and reading to them!
I recommend it to anyone who has small children who will sit still long enough for a story...I think they'll love it.
I recommend it to anyone who has small children who will sit still long enough for a story...I think they'll love it.
I was expecting a lot more magic from this book. You know, a feeling that it's Christmas and I need to snuggle up with blankets and hot chocolate (despite living in the Southern Hemisphere). But it failed to deliver on all fronts. The illustrations left much to be desired. The kids looked...off somehow (sour, mean, odd) and Santa looked like a total creep. The story felt incomplete - almost like you came into it in the middle and then suddenly every crescendos but you're still in the adagio. I didn't like it and neither did my kids - evidenced by the fact that they didn't ask for a second reading which is always the case when they love a book.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
We read this every year on Christmas or New Year’s. Each year, it means more. ♥️