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. [4] THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride leaves Birmingham Moor Street station and takes place on board heritage carriages hauled on the return journey by a real steam engine. The performance offers the magic and charm of the 2004 motion picture. So that brings me to this book. I was browsing around at Barnes & Noble during my lunch time (one of my routine stops) and saw this book. My breath hitched in a sentimental intake seeing the book there. Being pressed for time, I still stopped to sit down to read it, and it’s just as enchanting on paper as it is on screen. Surprisingly, the book is a bit condensed compared to the movie, but the theme is all the same. I'm still in the spirit of Christmas, because Christmas isn't until the 7th of January here in Ukraine. So.....more for me. I've always loved The Polar Express movie, It can even be said that it's my all time favourite Christmas movie, but up until now, I had never read the book. There's no "why" to the story, sorry. I've read it now, and I'm delighted to say I love it just as much as the movie- maybe even a tad bit more. I love the moral of the story, about how the principle of "seeing is believing" doesn't hold true in all situations in life. Strange and great things, the truly wondrous things are the things that can't be seen with the eyes-sometimes(The conductor in the movie makes a note of this).This book made me smile and get all swirly inside-and swirly is good in case you're wondering-so I don't regret not reading it earlier, I'm only grateful I have now.

A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical train to the North Pole . . .

Do I have to book Polar Express tickets in advance?

Bird, Elizabeth (July 6, 2012). "Top 100 Picture Books Poll Results". School Library Journal "A Fuse #8 Production" blog. Archived from the original on December 4, 2012 . Retrieved August 22, 2012.

Location: Cholsey & Wallingford Railway, Wallingford Station, 5 Hithercroft Road, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 9GQ. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Birmingham departs from Moor Street Station in the centre of the city. It began in 2018 and is run by Vintage Trains. The train travels on the main line, making it unique in the UK. Birmingham has much to offer to visiting travellers. Why not combine your visit with another event? Birmingham hosts the largest German Christmas Market outside of Germany and Austria. In previous years there has also been a big wheel, an ice rink and of course Birmingham Hippodrome’s pantomime! We are not connected with this event. Polar Express Norfolk Remember to be on their best behaviour as the elves will be scanning little ones to see if they’re on the nice list this year. Don’t miss the 20-minute pre-show before the train ride. At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe. Development [ edit ] They are treated to goodies while en route to the north pole where Santa is to offer the first gift of Christmas to one of the passengers in a town-square ceremony attended by all the elves as well as the transported youngsters. Our hero is selected, and when asked what he would like, opts for a single bell from Santa's sleigh.Chris Van Allsburg considers The Polar Express the easiest of his picture books to write, citing there only being one draft with few changes from the final version. [1] [2] He based the story on the mental image of a child walking through the woods on a foggy night, seeing a train and wondering where it is going. While imagining himself riding the train, he eventually decided to have it go to the North Pole. Writing the story became easier by that point as he found it natural to have Santa and Christmas Eve be involved. [3] It also felt more like he was remembering his past rather than making it up. [2]

Read/audiobook this for the very first time the other day with my little niece and we both love it!!! The story was sweet and very enjoyable. The narrator is Liam Neeson!!!! Ohhh, I love love love his voice and let me tell you he did NOT disappoint whatsoever! This is definitely gonna be a Christmas favorite around here :) I absolutely love the illustrations too! I will recommend this book to everyone for sure :) When you make your booking, please select the relevant allergens. We will do our best to accommodate all allergies, however we cannot guarantee this. This is the seventh book written by Chris Van Allsburg and the second book after Jumanji to be both adapted into a film and win a Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration.Your journey begins at Froghall Station on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, where we invite you to hop on board THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Throughout your journey, you may tangle with the caribou and other magical happenings, as you have the original story of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ told to you by the singing Chefs. Don’t forget to have a bite of your cookie and a sip of authentic hot chocolate before meeting the main man himself Santa Claus. Meeting your favourite Polar Express characters on this magical journey to the North Pole will be a truly memorable experience. a b Association for Library Service to Children. "Caldecott Medal & Honor Books, 1938-Present". American Library Association . Retrieved August 24, 2012.