adventurous hopeful fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

So, I don't say this very often, but the movie is better. It's more thematically interesting, and lifts the strong foundation of the book while imposing more nuanced and intriguing themes of belief. 
adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

“At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them…Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe.”

The end is what made this five stars. What a way to address the dilemma of adulthood. I love the way that those who write children’s books such as this find such beautiful ways to draw bridges between their adult and child selves. My takeaway is that we need to hang on to that childlike sense of joy and wonder forever.
medium-paced
adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
emotional inspiring lighthearted sad fast-paced
adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad
adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

I haven't read this book since it was read to me and my first grade class 32 years ago. The one thing I remember is that we were supposed to be super dazzled by the illustrations. I don't remember being exceptionally fond of it or having any heartfelt feelings about it other than being aware of the hype my teacher was trying to sell.

Recently I had to read it again for storytime at the bookstore I work at and it was fine. It was wordier than I had hoped, and while some of the illustrations are nice, some of them are a little uninspired - for instance most of the illustrations of the North Pole were stylized walls with vague elf shapes or similar - and the story is a little dull.

My favorite parts are when the kids are in the train. It looks warm and cozy, and everyone is in their PJs and having hot cocoa while vicious wolves run by in the scary woods outside the windows. I think if it was just enjoying delicious goodies on the train while passing by dark spooky Canadian wilderness the whole time I would have loved it.
hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: No