This book is my favorite because: "I began reading this book to my daughter on Christmas Eve when she was a young child. She is now 27. We kept reading it every year to her brothers. They are now 19 and 18. We still read this book every year to our youngest son who is 8."

My favorite holiday tradition is: "Reading The Polar Express every Christmas Eve is our long-standing tradition. One year when our middle sons were 4 and 5 years old we took them on a train ride out of Nashville, Tn., on a Christmas excursion accompanied by Santa. Before the train left we gave Santa a sleigh bell for each boy and asked that he give it to them on his visit to our seats. He did and it was a very emotionally wonderful time for all of us. Now, each year as we decorate our Christmas tree, both of the boys look forward to putting their "polar express" bell on the tree."

• Author: Chris Van Allsburg
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
• Ages: Preschool to 3rd Grade
  
  Publisher Marketing: A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa. "As always, the forms are sculptured, the perspectives as dazzling as they are audacious, the colors rich and elegant, the use of light and shadow masterly." -- Horn Book

Review Quotes: "One couldn't select a more delightful and exciting premise for a children's book than the tale of a young boy lying awake on Christmas Eve only to have Santa Claus sweep by and take him on a trip with other children to the North Pole. And one couldn't ask for a more talented artist and writer to tell the story than Chris Van Allsburg. Van Allsburg, a sculptor who entered the genre nonchalantly when he created a children's book as a diversion from his sculpting, won the 1986 Caldecott Medal for this book, one of several award winners he's produced. The Polar Express rings with vitality and wonder."

Check this title out at your school or local public library!