The Polar Express

by Chris Van Allsburg

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

       The Polar Express is a delightful book to read during the Christmas holiday.  The story  is well-written, and the illustrations are amazing.  The story is of a boy who questions the realness of Santa Claus.  A train (The Polar Express) picks him up in the middle of the night (around Christmas), and takes him on a journey--a journey which requires imagination and the ability to believe in things that are difficult to believe!  Eventually, the main character visits the North Pole and meets the one and only Santa Claus.  Santa gives the boy the first gift of Christmas (a sleigh bell) and shorty after, the boy is returned home.  Interestingly, the sound of the bell can only be heard if you are a believer in Santa.  At first, the boy could not hear the bell, but eventually he becomes a believer.  When the boy returns to his house, he realizes that his bell is missing.  On Christmas morning, the bell is underneath the tree and the boy can hear the beautiful sound of the bell; however, the boy's parents cannot hear the bell ring.  The message is to believe in the spirit of Christmas.

       As a teacher, I read this book before we depart on holiday vacation.  I get my kindergartners very excited about Christmas, and I give them each a bell with their name written on it.  The bell can be put on their Christmas trees, as well.

       I highly recommend this book to all ages.

Review posted by Erika

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