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$10.49When purchased online
About this item
Highlights
- The setting of the book is based on Van Allsburg’s childhood home in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- The Pere Marquette 1225 train, now in Owosso, Michigan, was the inspiration for the story. As a child, Chris Van Allsburg played on the engine when it was on display, and to him, the number 1225 meant 12/25, Christmas Day!
- The real 1225 train inspired the animated train, and they recorded the 1225’s different locomotive sounds to use in the movie.
- Chris Van Allsburg said that The Polar Express was the easiest of his picture book manuscripts to write. He created only one draft and had to make only a few changes to the text.
- The Polar Express is done with oil pastels, and to get the night lighting just right, he mixed color complements (reds with greens, oranges with blues) to bring out the hues of colors in low light.
- Van Allsburg has an artistic connection to another Christmas classic — in 2014 he designed the sets for the Michigan Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker.
Specifications
Dimensions (Overall): 9.2 Inches (H) x 11.6 Inches (W) x .5 Inches (D)
Weight: 1 Pounds
Suggested Age: 4-8 Years
Number of Pages: 32
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Sub-Genre: Classics, Holidays + Celebrations / Christmas, Transportation / Railroads + Trains
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Format: Hardcover
Author: Chris Van Allsburg
Language: English
Street Date: September 15, 2015
TCIN: 21405017
UPC: 9780544580145
Item Number (DPCI): 059-03-5843
Origin: Made in the USA
Description
About the Book
Take a ride aboard the Polar Express in this award-winning, classic holiday story, complete with an ornament gift, perfect for every child's library.Book Synopsis
Take a ride aboard the Polar Express in this award-winning, classic holiday story, complete with an ornament gift, perfect for every child's library. A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical train to the North Pole. The Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish. This is a story for all who believe in the spirit of Christmas and those who treasure the sound of a reindeer's silver bell. The Polar Express is the 1986 Caldecott Medal winner, and reading the story together is a beloved holiday tradition held by generations of families. It was also made into an animated feature film starring Tom Hanks. In this special edition, the inimitable artistry of Chris Van Allsburg is highlighted with a new jacket design and expanded interior layout. Includes an author's note and downloadable audio read by Liam Neeson.Review Quotes
"The best book about Santa."--Entertainment Weekly "The Polar Express is magic indeed. "--The New York Times "Allsburg's mix of meticulousness and mysticism is his own, and his quiet Christmas bell, now run, will not stop ringing."--Adam Gopnik, author of The King in the Window "The sumptuous pastel effects make this one of Van Allsburg's most treasured visions."--Newsweek "As always, the forms are sculptured, the perspectives as dazzling as they are audacious, the colors rich and elegant, the use of light and shadow masterly."--Horn Book Guide "Even the most hardened Santa doubters might find in The Polar Express the faith to believe again."--American Bookseller 1986 Caldecott Medal Winner
A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year
ALA Notable Book for Children
Booklist Editors' Choice
Horn Book Fanfare Selection
Reading Rainbow Review Book
About The Author
Chris Van Allsburg is the winner of two Caldecott Medals, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, and is the recipient of a Caldecott Honor for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. He lives on the North Shore of Boston. Visit his website at www.chrisvanallsburg.com.If the item details above aren’t accurate or complete, we want to know about it.
Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 9.3 inches length x 0.38 inches width x 11.7 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1 pounds
We regret that this item cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.
This item cannot be shipped to the following locations: United States Minor Outlying Islands, American Samoa (see also separate entry under AS), Puerto Rico (see also separate entry under PR), Northern Mariana Islands, Virgin Islands, U.S., APO/FPO, Guam (see also separate entry under GU)
Return details
This item can be returned to any Target store or Target.com.
This item must be returned within 30 days of the date it was purchased in store, shipped, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or made ready for pickup.
See the return policy for complete information.
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Q: What does it mean by “mixed media”?
submitted by Ddog - 3 years ago
A: You can download an audio version.
submitted bymomtothree - 3 years ago
Q: Is this a hardcover?
submitted by hawaiianpanda - 5 years ago
A: Yes it’s hard covered
submitted byJacquie - 5 years ago
This product is featured in a recent Target Finds story
4.8 out of 5 stars with 163 reviews
100% would recommend
21 recommendations
Great book!
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
LindseyLovesTarget - 2 months ago
This makes a wonderful Christmas gift for a small child. I purchase this at target for my neighbors new son. They were excited to read it to him during the holiday season.
BOOK
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
keegan - 3 months ago, Verified purchaser
Wonderful chldren's book, especially around the Christmas season.
Childhood memories
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
Gish - 3 months ago, Verified purchaser
My 33 year old son was beyond thrilled to get this book. He lost it as a child and it was like watching him open it all over again
Must Have for Christmas.
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
TaterMomma - 3 months ago, Verified purchaser
This is beautifully illustrated. The pages are also thick and durable. There is a fun surprise in the back of the book that is an ornament. My kiddo loves this book.
Polar Express
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
Hello - 3 months ago
My grandson love this story
Classic
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
Kristin - 3 months ago
Great value and a classic!
The Polar Express
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
Djsdwmf - 4 months ago
It is the perfect Christmas book for any age. I love that it comes with a pretty ornament.
love this book!
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
just what I needed - 4 months ago, Verified purchaser
our traditional Christmas book!! love it!!
Polar Express
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
Noel - 1 year ago, Verified purchaser
The Polar Express is one of our favorite Christmas stories to read & gift with a silver bell! It’s a reminder for all ages of the First Gift of Christmas for those who truly believe.
Awesome book
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
MU - 1 year ago, Verified purchaser
We love this movie and the book. We had to replace the previous one. I loved the nice surprise of it including a keepsake ornaments
Beautilf and perfect book
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
AngelT - 1 year ago, Verified purchaser
Such an adorable book. Illustrated very well. Has a ton of beautiful colors. We’re going to give this to her son on Christmas Eve along with the night before Christmas book as kind of a tradition to do it every year to read together on Christmas Eve. He absolutely loves the Movie so I thought this would be a perfect complement to the movie. We as well found a Hallmark Bell ornament it’s a polar express to go with it.
Great deal
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
eeeeeemommy - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
This was a great price! Glad I thought to buy it at target! I could never have found it cheaper! My kid’s and I love this story!
Classic Story, Great Memories
5 out of 5 stars
hill411 - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
A classic! Our young children especially liked our special moments snuggled up by the light of the Christmas tree and listening to the included audio recording of the story. My book-lover son would hardly put this book down.
(no review title)
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
Debra - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
Love the book, made my grandson smile ear to ear! Also included a metal ornament he got to hang on his tree!
Good
5 out of 5 stars
Was satisfied - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
perfectly as advertised
(no review title)
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
Cris - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
Great price for a hard cover book! My kids love it!
(no review title)
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
Christine - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
Love the book and just as I remember from childhood. Wish the ornament had been a bit sturdier but it will work.
Great quality
5 out of 5 stars
Jennifer - 2 years ago, Verified purchaser
Absolutely love this book. Giving as a gift this year. Price is a steal and it's a nice hardback book.
(no review title)
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
mrsmommy2b - 2 years ago
I wanted to buy a variety of Christmas books and this was one of them. Such a beautiful, hardcover book! It also came with an ornament for keepsakes.
(no review title)
5 out of 5 stars
Would recommend
ashkayjen - 4 years ago, Verified purchaser
I loved this book when I was younger now I have a copy for my daughter