Sunday, July 24, 2011

The Polar Express


The Polar Express written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg was 1985 New York Times Best Illustrated nominees.   It also earned the Caldecott Medal in 1986. 
This a wonderful, magical story about a little boy and his journey on the Christmas train to the North Pole.  The illustrations are captivating.  As I look through the book, I feel the concern of the little boy.   The worry of the little boy carries in his heart that there may be no Santa Claus and the wonder of the train appearing in the middle of the night with a conductor yelling "all aboard".  The young boy experienced the  excitement of the ride and the arrival at the North Pole as well as the shear joy of being selected to receive that first gift of Christmas from Santa.  The complete let down the boy feels knowing that he has lost the gift that had been given to him by Santa and then the discovery of the bell under the tree in the morning.  This story is a visual delight, and childlike innocence that brings joy every time the story is read.
Van Allsburg, C. (1985). The Polar Express. New York: Scholastic Inc.

No comments:

Post a Comment