This holiday favorite, “The Polar Express”, is written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg.
The holiday season has officially arrived, so Dr. Toughlove thought it would be a golden opportunity to remind her readers about an “oldie but goodie” entitled “The Polar Express”, written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg.
When many people think of “The Polar Express”, thoughts of the very successful movie of the same name come to mind. The 2004 film was riotously successful and conjures up images of beautiful music, engaging animation and colorful characters. In addition to the movie, stage productions based on the story, and Polar Express train rides at railroad museums are offered this time of year, complete with hot cocoa for the participants.
While Dr. Toughlove approves of families engaging in any/all of these activities if they so desire, she wholeheartedly recommends that her readers revisit the 1985 book. If you have read it in the past, dust it off and re-read it. If you have never read it, you are in for a treat. “The Polar Express” won the prestigious Caldecott award in 1986, and continues to be a perennial favorite.
One of the hallmarks of a successful children’s picture book is its ability to capture the reader’s and listener’s imaginations with artfully written prose and exquisite illustrations. Van Allsburg gets an A+ from Dr. Toughlove in both categories. The beautiful words challenge the reader to use the best oral reading skills they can muster to make the story come alive and capture the attention of the listener. Van Allsburg’s illustrations can be described as enchanting, imaginative and endearing, and visually support the touching, heartwarming story.
No matter how you celebrate during the month of December, the underlying themes of hope and belief are universal. Dr. Toughlove suspects that is why “The Polar Express” has stood up to the test of time for 36 years.
Dr. Toughlove suggests that parents consider reading the book aloud and then watching the movie with their children. It might be fun to compare and contrast the two. As is often the case, the children will see things that the adults will miss, and it can be a learning experience for all parties.
“The Polar Express” is recommended for children aged 2-7, but Dr. Toughlove believes that it is a book for all ages. Copies are available at the Queen Anne’s County Library.
Happy Holidays to all!