The Polar Express

Book Review

It is Christmastime and time to read some of our favorite Christmas books. Some books we read every year while others cycle in and out. This read was inspired by my youngest boy’s school, which hosts a Polar Express Day. Students make a train car to sit in while they watch Polar Express in the gym. While my husband was helping cut and tape cardboard into a train shape, I read this aloud to the kids.

What We Liked

This book is short and sweet. It is a Caldecott Medal winner, which means this picture book is beautifully illustrated. It shows the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a young boy who gets the privilege of getting the first Christmas gift. He is a true believer in Christmas and in Santa, which allows him to take this magical journey. Since this book is so short, we read it every Christmas.

Audiobook

The publisher supplies a link to the audiobook for download with the code RING. We did not listen to this book because it doesn’t take long to read aloud.

Movie Tie-In

The 2004 G-rated movie The Polar Express does an excellent job adapting this short book to screen. The movie vastly expands upon the 32-page story to make a full length feature film. The train ride is full of roller coaster fun, a little suspense is added with a lost golden ticket, and the kids see more of Santa’s city in the movie than in the book. One of our favorite scenes is when the children are served hot cocoa aboard the train by singing and dancing waiters. This is a great Christmas movie that follows the story-line and, most importantly, the spirit of the book.

The Verdict

It is Christmastime. Read the book then watch the movie.