The Polar Express (1985)

by Chris Van Allsburg

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus.

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Showing 1-5 of 452 (next | show all)

This book. I love The Polar Express so much, even now as an adult. The full page artwork is stunning, the story very moving and unique, and it is just plain fun. I also love that Liam Neeson has done a reading of the story, it sounds perfect for that feeling of wonder you have as a kid waking up on Christmas morning. Being able to hear Santa on the rooftop has long been a part of the legend, but this book takes the idea of "hearing" is believing, one step farther. (

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rianainthestacks | Nov 5, 2023 |

This story is a beautiful tale of imagination and childlike wonder. A little boy is taken on a wild christmas journey fueled by joy and belief in the Christmas spirit. (

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cieraj25 | Oct 30, 2023 |

Independent Reading Level: 2nd Grade
Awards/Honors: Caldecott Medal (

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Taylorsapp | May 4, 2023 |

Read it for the story, for the beautiful pictures, for the fact that Tom Hanks was in the movie, or read it to a child to provide them with a magical experience they will not forget. Christmas classic even more special to me because my husband and his brothers played little league baseball with Chris Van when he was growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is audio version with Liam Neeson's voice. Pajamas and hot chocolate recommended. (

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WiserWisegirl | Dec 2, 2022 |

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WiserWisegirl | Dec 2, 2022 |

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▾Published reviews

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thingScore 100

Mr. Van Allsburg works effectively combining the sinister and the sentimental, but it would take a poet-sociologist to explain precisely why these dark, moody sculptural pastels somehow evoke feelings of glad tidings and joy.

added by Shortride | editThe New York Times, Christopher Lehman-Haupt (Dec 2, 1985)

▾Other authors

» Add other authors (8 possible)

Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Chris Van Allsburg	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Neeson, Liam	Narrator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Is contained in

The Hutchinson Treasury of Children's Literature by Alison Sage

Has the adaptation

The Polar Express [2004 film] by Robert Zemeckis

Is parodied in

The Antarctic Express by Kenneth Hite

Has as a teacher's guide

The Polar Express - Teacher Guide by Novel Units, Inc. by Novel Units

▾Awards and Honors

Awards

Audie Award (Winner – Package Design – 2001)

Audie Award (Finalist – Children's Titles For Ages 0-7 – 2001)

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (Honor – Picture Book – 1986)

Buckaroo Book Award (First runner-up – 1999)

Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award (Winner – Grades K-2 – 1991)

Caldecott Medal (Medal Winner – 1986)

Golden Archer Award (Winner – Little Archer Award – 1986)

Great Lakes Great Books Award (Winner – Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade – 1989)

Great Lakes Great Books Award (Winner – Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade – 1991)

A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (1986)

IBBY Honour Book (Spanish Translation – 1990)

Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Winner – 1987)

Nevada Young Readers' Award (Winner – Primary/Picture Book – 1988)

New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book (1985)

Texas Bluebonnet Award (Nominee – 1988)

Distinctions

New York Times bestseller (Fiction – 1985)

Notable Lists

1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up (2009.0316, 2009, Ages 5↑)

CCBC Choices (Picture Books – 1985)

Library of Congress Children's Literature Center Children's Books (1986)

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▾Common Knowledge

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Canonical title

The Polar Express

Original title

Alternative titles

Original publication date

People/Characters

Important places

Important events

Related movies

The Polar Express (2004 | IMDb)

Awards and honors

Caldecott Medal (1986)

IBBY Honour Book (1990.3 | Spanish Translation, 1990)

New York Times bestseller (Fiction, 1985)

A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (1986)

1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up (2009.0316 | 2009, Ages 5↑)

(show all 17 items)

Epigraph

Dedication

To Karen

First words

On Christmas Eve, many years ago, I lay quietly in my bed.

Quotations

"Soon there were no more lights to be seen. We traveled through cold, dark forests, where lean wolves roamed and white-tailed rabbits hid from our train as it thundered through the quiet wilderness."

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

Publisher's editors

Blurbers

Original language

English

Canonical DDC/MDS

Canonical LCC

▾References

References to this work on external resources.