The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg, is one of my favorite Christmas stories and has become a yearly tradition. My daughters are now 11-1/2 and 14 years old, so the bell's sound is becoming quite faint for them. Since I am an "old softy," I always tear-up when I read the book and show the movie to my kindergartners each year. Childhood goes by so quickly and I hate to see these little kids grow up too fast. Some of them are already questioning Santa in kindergarten!
For most 
children, the Christmas season is mysterious and magical and Chris Van Allsburg truly captures this spirit of childhood in the story. The illustrations are quite detailed and have a soft, cozy quality to them; however, the darkness of the pictures evokes a sense of mystery. He ends each page in a way that makes you want to see what happens next. I think it is sad in the end when the little boy's mother and father think the bell is broken because they can no longer hear it. Van Allsburg ends the book by saying that the bell still rings for him!
children, the Christmas season is mysterious and magical and Chris Van Allsburg truly captures this spirit of childhood in the story. The illustrations are quite detailed and have a soft, cozy quality to them; however, the darkness of the pictures evokes a sense of mystery. He ends each page in a way that makes you want to see what happens next. I think it is sad in the end when the little boy's mother and father think the bell is broken because they can no longer hear it. Van Allsburg ends the book by saying that the bell still rings for him!The P
olar Express movie is fantastic! I have seen it both in the standard movie format and in the 3-D format at the IMAX. Both versions are great! The movie scenes are very much like the illustrations in the book. They include much detail, but have a sort of dark, soft quality to them. The movie plot is based upon the book; however, several extra items have been added for entertainment value. The music adds to the wonder of the movie. The hot chocolate scene in the train is wonderfully fun and upbeat. The scenes with the hobo are a little frightening to young children, but the hobo evokes discussions about who he is truly supposed to represent - Santa, an angel, God, who? The movie also highlights more characters than the book. The underprivileged little boy who has never received a Christmas present before is touching. The obnoxious, "know it all" boy is both annoying and funny at the same time. The little girl is tender-hearted and brave.
olar Express movie is fantastic! I have seen it both in the standard movie format and in the 3-D format at the IMAX. Both versions are great! The movie scenes are very much like the illustrations in the book. They include much detail, but have a sort of dark, soft quality to them. The movie plot is based upon the book; however, several extra items have been added for entertainment value. The music adds to the wonder of the movie. The hot chocolate scene in the train is wonderfully fun and upbeat. The scenes with the hobo are a little frightening to young children, but the hobo evokes discussions about who he is truly supposed to represent - Santa, an angel, God, who? The movie also highlights more characters than the book. The underprivileged little boy who has never received a Christmas present before is touching. The obnoxious, "know it all" boy is both annoying and funny at the same time. The little girl is tender-hearted and brave.The Polar Express book and movie are so well done that they appeal to all ages. I appreciate the talent of Chris Van Allsburg in writing the story and the cast and crew of the movie for bringing it to life.
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