The Polar Express is a 1985 fantasy children's picture book written and illustrated by American author Chris Van Allsburg. Critics and various educators have described the book as a landmark in children's Christmas literature, and it is widely praised for its atmospheric illustrations by Van Allsburg himself and how it is a book about having faith. It was praised for its detailed illustrations and calm, relaxing storyline. For the work, Van Allsburg won the annual Caldecott Medal for illustration of an American children's picture book in 1986, his second after Jumanji.
Van Allsburg based the story on a mental image of a child wandering into the woods on a foggy night and wondering where a train was headed. The book is set partially in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the author's home town, and was inspired in part by Van Allsburg's memories of visiting the Herpolsheimer's and Wurzburg's department stores as a child. It was adapted as a motion-capture film in 2004 starring Tom Hanks and directed by Robert Zemeckis. Van Allsburg served as an executive producer on the film.
The book tells the story of a young boy who boards a magical train on Christmas Eve bound for the North Pole, where he receives a bell from Santa's sleigh as his first gift.
The book has sold more than 6.5 million copies and has been on the New York Times bestseller list every Christmas season since its first publication. It has been the inspiration for educational use, as well as for a 2004 film and meany real-life train rides across the US, Canada, and the UK.
Plot summary
On Christmas Eve, a young boy, hears the sound of a train. He looks through the window to see it right outside his house. He goes outside, where a conductor explains that the train is called the Polar Express and is journeying to the North Pole. The boy boards the train, which is filled with other children in their pajamas and nightgowns. They all sing carols and are served hot chocolate by the train's staff.
The Polar Express races north past towns and villages, through boreal forests, and over mountains, and never slows. When it arrives at the North Pole, the conductor explains that Santa Claus will select one of them to receive the first gift of Christmas.
The boy is handpicked by Santa to receive the first gift of Christmas. The boy asks for a bell from Santa’s sleigh, cut by an elf from a reindeer’s harness. As the train departs, the boy discovers that the bell had fallen through a hole in his pocket. The boy arrives home, the conductor wishing him a merry Christmas as the train speeds away.
On Christmas morning, his sister Sarah finds a small box for the boy behind the tree. The boy finds a bell inside, delivered by Santa, along with a note. To fix the hole in his pocket. When the boy rings the bell, both he and his sister marvel at the beautiful sound. His parents, however, are unable to hear the bell and remark that it is broken. The book ends with the following line:
Themes
The most central theme of The Polar Express is the desire to believe and faith.
Illustrations
The Polar Express was Van Allsburg's second full-color picture book. His first one was The Wreck of the Zephyr (1983).
A critic who wrote for Newsweek had previously described the artwork as conveying "sumptuous pastel effects of train lights seen through falling snow."
The illustrations are a major reason the book has had such a lasting impact; he received the Caldecott Medal in 1986, which is awarded to recognize outstanding illustrations in a children's book. It was one of the "Top 100 Picture Books" of all time in a 2012 poll by School Library Journal.
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary edition, Vicki Smith observed for Kirkus Reviews online that the real audience of the book may be nostalgic adults rather than young children who presumably believe in Santa Claus. In effect it questions the existence of Santa Claus, for the plot turns on who does and who does not believe.
Adaptions
At the premiere of the film, Van Allsburg stated that Pere Marquette 1225, a 2-8-4 Berkshire N-1 class steam locomotive, formerly owned by the Michigan State University and now owned by the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, was the inspiration for the storyline. He played on the engine as a child when it was on display and was inspired by the number, which to him was 12/25 – Christmas Day. These train rides are hosted by a number of different railways, including the Grand Canyon Railway, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, the Texas State Railroad, the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan, the Valley Railroad in Connecticut, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad in Frostburg, Maryland, and the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad in Portland, Maine and others. Beginning in 2016, the UK's Telford Steam Railway offered the Polar Express ride on a steam engine.
The round-trip journey to the "North Pole" commonly includes a live musical performance, hot cocoa and cookies, and Christmas characters such as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. At some locations, guests are invited to wear pajamas.