The Polar Express
by Chris Van Allsburg
Interest age: 4 to 6
Reading age: 6+
Published by Anderson Press, 2015
About this book
On Christmas Eve a boy excitedly waits to hear the sound of Santa’s sleigh bells. Instead, the sound of hissing steam announces the arrival of the Polar Express outside his house. Aboard are excited children in their pyjamas all bound for the North Pole where people are gathering to see Santa give the first gift of Christmas. The boy is offered anything he desires yet simply asks for a bell from the reindeer’s harness which proves to be the most precious of gifts.
This is an enchanting Christmas story, beautifully written and illustrated with pictures full of warmth and light evoking the excitement and magic of a childhood Christmas. It is accompanied by a CD with music and sound effects including a sleigh bell marking the turn of every page.
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