Customer Reviews

The Polar Express: The Movie: Shadowbook: An Interactive Shadow-Casting Bedtime Story

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The idea behind this short book is that Boy in the story puts together a memory/scrapbook to remember his adventures to the North Pole. The book includes selected photos from the movie along with other items (ticket stub, bottle cap, etc.) that have been imprinted in the album. The book is divided into several different sections that talk about things that were seen in the movie and fills in information about each one. The legend of the Christmas stocking and one of the many legends of the Christmas tree are included, as well as a scientific explanation of the aurora borealis, a recipe for hot chocolate, suggestions for making one's own wrapping paper, the difference between a caribou and reindeer, what makes a bell jingle, and several other things. Granted the book is a merchandising ploy. Nevertheless, there are just enough tasty nuggets of information that make it a notch above the average movie "memory" book.

I bought this for my 3 year-old daughter and the whole family loves it. The pictures look beautiful on the wall ... the darker the room, the better. Also, they look best if the flashlight is held so that reflected light (instead of direct) passes through the transparancies. Too bad it's only six pages long. I'd like to see more of this type of book. Magical for little ones.

I purchased this book this afternoon, and have already read it to my three year old twice. The effects on the wall are beautiful. I do wish it were longer, and it takes some time to find the best angle, but a wonderful concept.

Unfortunately when this title includes "The Journey Begins", it is only referring to the opening scene of the movie. Most of the 32 pages picture a boy in his room with dark and subdued hues. The story does not proceed to the interior of the train and its colorful characters and spell-binding pace. It is very disappointing for the young reader to whom it is directed.

I shared this book with my kindergarten class today. They loved it. The pictures work great on an overhead projector. A couple of the pictures are from scenes in the movie that are not in the book, but they can be worked into the book story easily. Great day before Christmas break activity!

I bought this book for my granddaughter who has just learned to read. She was excited to be able to read a portion of the book that has always been read to her on xmas eve since she was born. I wish it had been longer and it may have been a little too easy for her. She is in the first grade.

This book was read to me every year in elementry school. I remember looking forward to the day that we would read the book and have hot chocolate all day. It wasn't just me who looked forward to this day it was my friends and I teachers. The book was just so magical and made you wonder "is there really a train called the Polar Express?" or "maybe one day I will ride the Polar Express"
If you want to read a good children's book I suggest you read the Polar Express because I know you would love it.

I must agree totally with Shannon. Very boring book. I bought this book assuming that there would be a series of books that cover "the Journey" all the way to the end, but nothing yet. As a stand alone book, terrible. As a beginning of a series, there is potiential.

GIVE US THE SERIES!!!

I wish I could have gotten my hands on a local copy before buying it online. The proper affect was difficult to execute using an ordinary flashlight. The direct beam of a flashlight washes out the images. A more diffused light source is needed. The only solution I could find was to use a box with a cutout window and a light mounted inside not directly in line with the window. Using the indirect light source allowed a more diffused light which was able to create the shadow affect. In the end I did not use it because I did not have time once I received the book and was able to test it. I also would have to take the book apart. It was too unwieldly. A nice idea, but the execution was poor.

Sturdy board book to stand up to your busy boy/s. Great illustrations! My three year old really likes his book! Worth the hunt to find it for him.