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The Polar Express Gift Set Hardcover – September 27, 2004

by Chris Van Allsburg (Author)

4.9 19,309 ratings

“Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see.” Late one Christmas Eve after the town has gone to sleep, the boy boards the mysterious train that waits for the Polar Express bound for the North Pole. When he arrives, Santa offers the boy any gift he desires. The boy modestly asks for one bell from the harness of the reindeer. The gift is granted. On the way home the bell is lost. On Christmas morning, the boy finds the bell under the tree. The mother of the boy admires the bell, but laments that it is broken—for you see, only believers can hear the sound of the bell.In strange and moving shades of full color art, Chris Van Allsburg creates an otherwordly classic of the Christmas season. 'The Polar Express' evokes the same sense of mystery as his previous imaginative books 'The Garden of Abdul Gasazi' (1979), 'Jumanji' (1981), and 'The Wreck of the Zephyr' (1983).Awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1986, The Polar Express has sold more than 7 million copies, become a classic holiday movie, and been translated into stage productions that take place across the United States during the holiday season.

Reading age

2+ years, from customers
Language

English
Publisher

Houghton Mifflin
Publication date

September 27, 2004
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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001KZI7FO
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Houghton Mifflin; 113th edition (September 27, 2004)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2+ years, from customers
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.2 pounds

Customer Reviews:
4.9 19,309 ratings

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Chris Van Allsburg

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Chris Van Allsburg is the winner of two Caldecott Medals, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, as well as the recipient of a Caldecott Honor Book for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. The author and illustrator of numerous picture books for children, he has also been awarded the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children's literature. In 1982, Jumanji won the National Book Award and in 1996, it was made into a popular feature film. Chris Van Allsburg was formerly an instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design. He lives in Rhode Island with his wife and two children.

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Meia Santos

Love it!

Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2024

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Bought this book as part of a Christmas present surprise for my son since he loves the Polar Express. He has watched the movie over 50 times but he did not have the book yet. This was icing on the cake. Same book that they read during the Polar Express ride!

Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2024

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Love this book. Loved that it had an ornament included. Also, I gave a copy to great grandchildren along with an antique sleigh bell which I collect. Also gave to neighbor’s children. They loved it!

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Tika Johnson

Way better than the movie!

Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2024

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We got tickets for a Polar Express train ride near us this holiday season. We thought watching the movie and reading the book together first would be fun! So glad we watched the movie without kids…it’s not great for a sensitive 6 year old and 2 year old. HOWEVER-this book is lovely and our kids loved it. Perfect pairing to a Polar Express train ride.

Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024

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This beautiful hard back is exactly the collectible I was looking for. My 8 year old son loves it and we read it before we went on the Polar Express train ride.

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Cathiern Wilkerson

This is a beautiful book.

Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2024

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I like everything about this book. I loved the surprise I received on the last page. It was a gold metal of the Polar Express Train. Wow!

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Diana Wilkens

Grandson is an amid lover of Polar Express.

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2024

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Very nicely packed and came with beautiful gold medallion. Awesome and very satisfied.

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2024

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I read to my class and then we watched the movie. The students thought the pictures were awesome and they loved the story.

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Amazon Customer

Beautiful story for children and adults

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024

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This is so beautiful I tear-up at the ending. I gave this as a gift to a foreign friend who hasn't heard of it, and she felt the same way. Loved that it came with an ornament!

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Aline

Recomendo

Reviewed in Brazil on January 12, 2024

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Livro lindo

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tracy mclachlan

Beautifully illustrated

Reviewed in Canada on November 16, 2023

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Book to read Grandkids over Christmas break

D M

Beautiful edition

Reviewed in Mexico on February 7, 2023

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My children received this book for christmas and it reminded me so much of my childhood. I cry every time. This edition is beautiful. They loved the little ornament too!