For twenty-five years, The Polar Express has been a treasured holiday classic. To commemorate this special anniversary, a lavish gift edition has been created. The set includes a CD audio recording read by Liam Neeson, a keepsake "All Aboard" ornament, and a note from author Chris Van Allsburg.
Awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1986, The Polar Express has sold more than 7 million copies, become a classic holiday movie, and been translated into stage productions that take place across the United States during the holiday season.
Chris Van Allsburg is the winner of two Caldecott Medals, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, as well as the recipient of a Caldecott Honor Book for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. The author and illustrator of numerous picture books for children, he has also been awarded the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children’s literature. In 1982, Jumanji was nominated for a National Book Award and in 1996, it was made into a popular feature film. Chris Van Allsburg was formerly an instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design. He lives in Rhode Island with his wife and two children.
After graduate school, Van Allsburgh set up a sculpture studio in Providence, married and settled in the area, and began exhibiting his work in New York City and throughout New England. Around the same time, he became interested in drawing. His wife, Lisa, encouraged him to pursue children's book illustration, putting him in contact with her friend David Macauley, a successful artist and author. Macauley's editor at Houghton Mifflin was impressed by Van Allsburgh's work and advised him to try his hand at illustrating a story of his own. His maiden effort, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, was published in 1979 and received a Caldecott Honor Medal.
Since that auspicious beginning, Van Allsburgh has gone on to produce a string of wonderfully inventive, critically acclaimed, and award-winning books. He gathers inspiration from unlikely quarters -- the progress of ants across a kitchen counter, crayon streaks in a child's coloring book, a children's board game come to life -- and executes his ideas on a provocative but surefire "What if..." principle.
Among his many awards are two Caldecott Medals -- one for Jumanji, written in 1982 and the other for 1985's The Polar Express; a National Book Award (also for Jumanji); and the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children's literature.
One of Van Allsburg's childhood homes was a big, Tudor-styled house on a wide, tree-lined street. He used the street as a model for the cover art of what is arguably his most famous book, The Polar Express.
Because so many students at Van Allsburg's high school excelled academically, representatives from the University of Michigan would visit each year to interview interested seniors and admit them on the spot if they met qualifications. During his senior year, Van Allsburg was told about the art program affiliated with the University's College of Architecture & Design and thought it sounded like fun. Although he had never had any formal art classes, he fibbed to the admissions officer, saying he had taken private lessons outside of school.
Two of Van Allsburg's bestselling books, Jumanji and The Polar Express, were subsequently turned into blockbuster movies.
Van Allsburg is not your typical "feel good" children's author. He has been known to handle darker themes, and his stories often involve bizarre worlds and dreamscapes.
In all his stories, Van Allsburg inserts a little white bull terrier modeled after a real-life dog owned by his brother-in-law. (Another popular children's author, David Shannon, does the same thing, but Shannon's pup is a Westie!)
"On Christmas Eve, many years ago, I lay quietly in my bed. I did not rustle the sheets. I breathed slowly and silently. I was listening for a sound—a sound a friend had told me I'd never hear—the ringing bells of Santa's sleigh. 'There is no Santa,' my friend had insisted, but I knew he was wrong. Late that night I did hear sounds, though not of ringing bells. From outside came the sounds of hissing steam and squeaking metal. I looked through my window and saw a train standing perfectly still in from of my house."
Copyright (C) 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg. All rights reserved.
Anonymous
Posted November 30, 2000
This is the best christmas book ever! I got this Christmas eve 11 years ago. Every Christmas eve since my dad sits down with me (I'm now 18) and my older brother and sister and we hear the story of the polar express. And we still here the bell ringing.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 17, 1999
I first heard this story read on the Mark and Brian show from Los Angeles. I thought it was one of the best Christmas stories I have heard. I will make this a Christmas tradition in our house by reading this story to my four children every year.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 4, 2013
A story to share for many years to come...
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Posted December 10, 2012
fast service and perfect product
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Posted November 27, 2012
A number of years ago, I was in charge of the entertainment at a Holiday celebration of Lady Elks, some old enough to be my grandmother- I was the mother of teenagers! I chose to read The Polar Express. None had heard it before. As we got to the end, I rang the bell. They were all silent, with slight smiles and misty eyes. And then to their surprise, Santa burst into the room! I was just today reminded about how much the ladies enjoyed the evening, being read to, reminded of the youthful mystery ad magic of the season. And I will be shopping for 2 copies for one of the now housebound ladies to give to her great grandchildren this year. It's not even December yet, and I have heard the bell....
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Posted November 20, 2012
Since my children were small, every Christmas Eve, I would read The Polar Express to them, and The Night Before Christmas. I can still remember how they would cuddle around me in their pajamas while waiting to hear the story of the gift of Christmas, the silver bell from Santa's sleigh. It is a family tradition that my family has enjoyed from year to year with their families. What a wonderful story!
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Posted October 13, 2011
This Book is Very awesome. I dont realy like to read that much but every time i see this book i enjoy reading it. i recommend this book to all ages. i am a Christmas Freak so i just really enjoy this book because it makes Christmas very Christmasy. I will be reading more books from this Author.
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Posted December 29, 2010
Classic book. I love it yet it is not interesting enough to keep a young child's attention. My 3 year old children loved the train but most of the photos and the story was just not enough to want me to read this story over and over again.
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Posted December 17, 2010
the polar express is so unsurpising. None in my family is crazy about it. In fact last year somone trew up on it. But it is OK.
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Posted November 28, 2010
I Also Recommend:
I got this book last year and just dug it out to read again now that Thanksgiving is over. It is a great book and one of my favorite Christmas story books. Is there really a Santa Clause? The story is cool and you will love the drawing. There are so many Christmas type books, but, this one has to be right there at the top of the list. There is lots of joy and you may even get a bit of a tear while reading. The story is of a boy's journey on a mysterious train, the Polar Express, that takes children (adorned in their pajamas) to the North Pole to Santa's village. Every child should own this book. It is a magical story that they can appreciate for the rest of their lives.
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Posted May 5, 2010
The Polar Express had to be one of my all time favorite children's books. Everything from the story to the fantastic illustrations mesmerizes you from start to finish. I've read this book to many children and they world agree it is truly a unique book which captivates the mind. The book sends you into a fictional world of wonderment where you think about the possibility of can there be a Santa Clause and all the magic which surrounds Christmas.
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Posted February 16, 2010
Good book for the holidays!
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Posted February 13, 2010
remember to embrace the child who still lives within you
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Posted February 6, 2010
My son who is 3 years old constantly wants to read along with the CD and book. I got this for Christmas and needless to say it is one of his favorite books to read at night. If your child likes the movie, get this book. Liam Neeson does a fabulous job narrating.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.We read this every night of the Christmas holiday. A great story, especially when shared with the beautiful mind of a child. Buy it and the movie.
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Posted February 1, 2010
This book, like the movie, takes you into the world of make-believe. It is written so that pre-school children can imagine themselves riding on the train. Our grandchildren from 4 to 14 have loved the story. Pictures are well done and it is an easy read. Have given it as a gift as well as have it in my home.
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Posted January 30, 2010
After watching the movie, when my son asked me for the book, I couldn't say no. He continues to "read" the book with the CD every few weeks.
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Posted January 30, 2010
I had been wanting to get this book for my classroom and finally remembered when I was at the store :) It was a pleasant added bonus that it comes with the CD. We love Chris Van Allsburg
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Posted January 25, 2010
I bought this book for my god daughter for xmas. She loves the movie and I know she wanted the book to go with it. It makes her eyes light up.
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Posted January 23, 2010
In my opinion, this is the best holiday childrens' book out there. It is an original, thoughtful story ... and inspiring too. The illustrations are amazing!
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Overview
For twenty-five years, The Polar Express has been a treasured holiday classic. To commemorate this special anniversary, a lavish gift edition has been created. The set includes a CD audio recording read by Liam Neeson, a keepsake "All Aboard" ornament, and a note from author Chris Van Allsburg.
Awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1986, The Polar Express has sold more than 7 million copies, become a classic holiday movie, and been ...