The Polar Express

Title: The Polar Express

Author: Chris Van Allsburg

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Date: 1985

Number of pages: 32 Pages

Reading Level: Ages 4-10

Genre: Children's Picture Book - Fiction

Summary: On Christmas Eve, a young boy searches desperately for any belief in the true meaning of Christmas. He hears a noise from downstairs and runs to investigate. Seeing a shadow of what appears to be Santa Claus, he soon discovers that it is his parents. About an hour later,  a fantasy magic train called The Polar Express pulls up in front of his house. He's welcomed aboard by the trains mysterious conductor - told that he would embark on a journey to the North Pole. Hesitantly, he boards and the adventure begins.

While on this journey, the boy meets a group of young children who are on their way to see Santa Claus. Amongst his peers is a little girl who embodies the true spirit of holiday giving and a lonely boy who does not know what Christmas is. Together, The children must all overcome a variety of obstacles; at one point, a herd of caribou block the tracks. 

When they finally arrive at the North Pole the lonely boy named Billy, riding alone in the observation car, does not want to see Santa because he comes from a broken home on the bad side of his hometown and says that Christmas does not work out for him. They struggle to get to Santa when the boy picks up a bell and shakes it, remembering that the girl could hear a bell earlier when he could not. As before, he can not hear it. The boy then says he believes in Santa and the spirit of Christmas. He then sees Santa's reflection on the bell; he shakes the bell again and hears it at last. He gives the bell back to Santa.

The boy is handpicked by Santa Claus to receive "The First Gift Of Christmas". Realizing that he could choose anything in the world, the boy asks for the beautiful-sounding silver bell (that only believers can hear) which fell from Santa's sleigh. The boy places the bell in the pocket of his robe and all the children watch as Santa takes off for his yearly delivery.

The children return to the train and make the long trip back home. The boy wakes up on Christmas morning, his sister finds a small present hidden behind the tree after all the others have been unwrapped. The Boy opens the present and discovers that it is the bell, which Santa had found on the seat of his sleigh. When the boy rings the bell, both he and his sister marvel at the beautiful sound; but because their parents no longer believe in Santa Claus or Christmas, they do not hear it. 

My Reaction: This is a children's holiday classic. I remember growing up and reading this story every Christmas season, wishing that I could be so lucky to receive a change to ride The Polar Express. Although I never received this opportunity, it never stopped me from enjoying the story. I haven't met a child yet that doesn't adore this book, and love reading it aloud to my nieces and nephews - and not only around the Holidays! 

Potential Problems: Children who come from impoverished families may get hope that Santa Claus will visit their homes like the story says he visits Billy. But due to financial struggles, I can see how this would pose as a conflict in the home life of those who have financial burdens - especially around the holidays. It can bring sadness and turmoil to the child's holiday season.

My Recommendation: I think this story should be read in most all preschool-elementary schools right before Christmas break. I think this classic gives children the hope and sincere desire to give, and be grateful for all that they receive over the course of their holiday break. I know most all young readers enjoy the pictures that are illustrated throughout the book, so it appeals both to young girls and boys!