View source for The Polar Express

{{Short description|1985 children's book by Chris Van Allsburg}}
{{about|the book|the film adaptation|The Polar Express (film)|other uses}}
{{Distinguish|Polar Bear Express}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox book
| name              = The Polar Express
| image             = CM polar express.jpg
| caption           = Cover
| author            = [[Chris Van Allsburg]]
| illustrator       = Chris Van Allsburg
| cover_artist      = Chris Van Allsburg
| country           = United States
| genre             = [[Picture book|Children's picture book]]
| publisher         = [[Houghton Mifflin]]
| pub_date          = November 12, 1985
| media_type        = Print (hardcover)
| pages             = 32
| isbn              = 978-0-7587-0066-7
| dewey             = [E] 19
| congress          = PZ7.V266 Po 1985
| oclc              = 12162097
| preceded_by       = [[The Mysteries of Harris Burdick]]
| followed_by       = [[The Stranger (Chris Van Allsburg book)|The Stranger]]
}}

'''''The Polar Express''''' is a 1985 [[fantasy]] [[children's literature|children's]] [[picture book]] written and illustrated by American author [[Chris Van Allsburg]]. The book is now widely considered to be a classic Christmas story for young children.{{efn|name=smith}} It was praised for its detailed illustrations and calm, relaxing storyline. For the work, Van Allsburg won the annual [[Caldecott Medal]] for illustration of an American children's picture book in 1986, his second after ''[[Jumanji (picture book)|Jumanji]]''.<ref name=sullivan>{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Kathleen|title='Polar Express' author to discuss book's trip to screen|url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Polar-Express-author-to-discuss-book-s-trip-to-2636700.php|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707054149/http://articles.sfgate.com/2004-11-12/news/17451266_1_polar-express-award-winning-book-chris-van-allsburg|url-status=live|archive-date=July 7, 2012|access-date=November 18, 2011|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|date=November 12, 2004}}</ref><ref name=ala>{{cite web |url=http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecotthonors/caldecottmedal |title= Caldecott Medal & Honor Books, 1938-Present |author= Association for Library Service to Children  |publisher= American Library Association |access-date=August 24, 2012}}</ref>

The book is set partially in [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]], the [[writer's home|author's home]] town, and was inspired in part by Van Allsburg's memories of visiting the [[Herpolsheimer's]] and [[Wurzburg's]] department stores as a child.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2015/11/polar_express_author_chris_van.html|author=Kaczmarczyk, Jeffrey|title='Polar Express' author Chris Van Allsburg on how Christmas in Grand Rapids inspired beloved book|date=November 17, 2015|access-date=October 20, 2017|newspaper=The Grand Rapids Press}}</ref> It was adapted as a motion-capture [[The Polar Express (film)|film]] in 2004 starring [[Tom Hanks]] and directed by [[Robert Zemeckis]]. Van Allsburg served as an [[executive producer]] on the film.

==Plot summary==
On [[Christmas Eve]], a young boy, listening from his bed for the ringing sounds of [[Santa's sleigh]], instead hears the sound of a train. He looks through the window to see it right outside his house. He sees a [[Conductor (rail)|conductor]] who looks up at his window. He tiptoes downstairs and goes outside. The conductor explains that the train is called the Polar Express and is journeying to the [[North Pole]]. The boy then boards the train, which is filled with other children in their pajamas and nightgowns. They all sing carols and are served candies and hot chocolate by the train's staff.

The Polar Express races north past towns and villages, through [[boreal forest]]s, and over [[Arctic Cordillera|mountains]], but the train never slows down. When it arrives at the North Pole, the conductor explains that [[Santa Claus]] will select one of them to receive the first gift of Christmas.

The boy and the other children see thousands of [[Christmas elf|elves]] gathered at the center of town waiting to send Santa Claus on his way. The boy is handpicked by Santa to receive the first gift of Christmas. Realizing he could choose anything in the world, the boy asks for a bell from Santa's sleigh. An elf cuts a bell from a reindeer's harness. The boy places the bell in the pocket of his robe, and all the children watch as Santa takes off into the night for his annual deliveries. As the train departs, the boy discovers that the bell had fallen through a hole in his pocket. The boy arrives home, the conductor wishing him a merry Christmas as the train speeds away.

On Christmas morning, his sister Sarah finds a small box for the boy behind the tree. The boy opens the box and discovers that it contains the bell, delivered by Santa along with a note explaining that he found it on the seat of his sleigh and suggests he fix the hole in his pocket. When the boy rings the bell, both he and his sister marvel at the beautiful sound. His parents, however, are unable to hear the bell and remark that it is broken. The book ends with the following line:

{{blockquote|''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==
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Conversation with Chris Van Allsburg by Anita Silvey {{!}} The Polar Express |url=https://www.polarexpress.com/the-author/conversation-chris-van-allsburg-anita-silvey |access-date=February 1, 2016 |website=polarexpress.com}}</ref>

At the premiere of the film, Van Allsburg stated that [[Pere Marquette 1225]], a 2-8-4 Berkshire N-1 class steam locomotive, formerly owned by the [[Michigan State University]] and now owned by the [[Steam Railroading Institute]] in Owosso, was the inspiration for the storyline.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=Adam |date=February 28, 2022 |title=Pere Marquette #1225: Polar Express, Top Speed, Whistle |url=https://www.american-rails.com/1225.html |access-date=September 12, 2022 |website=American-Rails.com}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Trautman |first=Sherry |date=September 7, 2022 |title=STEAM TRAIN Michigan Polar Express {{!}} Pere Marquette1225 |url=https://www.travel-mi.com/Michigan-Polar-Express.html |access-date=September 12, 2022 |website=Travel Michigan |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Samilton |first=Tracy |date=December 16, 2013 |title=All Aboard! Real-Life Polar Express Chugs Through Michigan |language=en |work=NPR.org |url=https://www.npr.org/2013/12/16/251643965/all-aboard-real-life-polar-express-chugs-through-michigan |access-date=September 12, 2022}}</ref> He played on the engine as a child when it was on display and was inspired by the number, which to him was 12/25 – Christmas Day.<ref name=":0" /> The real 1225 was used to create the CGI version of it in the film.

==Reception==
In 1986, ''The Polar Express'' was awarded the [[Caldecott Medal]] and appeared on the ''New York Times'' bestseller list.<ref name=sullivan /><ref name=ala /> By 1989, a million copies had been sold – more each year than the last – and the book had made the bestseller list four years in a row.<ref>{{Cite news|title = VAN ALLSBURG'S EXPRESS|url = https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/24/magazine/van-allsburg-s-express.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = December 24, 1989|access-date = February 4, 2016|issn = 0362-4331|first = Kim | last = Herron }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Book Notes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/25/books/book-notes-050789.html |newspaper=New York Times |date=October 25, 1989 |access-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref>
 
Based on a 2007 online poll, the [[National Education Association]] listed the book as one of its "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children".<ref name=NEA2007>{{cite web |url= http://www.nea.org/grants/13154.htm/ |title= Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children |author= National Education Association |year= 2007 |access-date= August 22, 2012 |archive-date= July 30, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130730194044/http://www.nea.org/grants/teachers-top-100-books-for-children.html |url-status= dead}}</ref> It was one of the "Top 100 Picture Books" of all time in a 2012 poll by ''[[School Library Journal]]''.<ref name=SLJPicture2012>{{cite web |url= http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2012/07/06/top-100-picture-books-poll-results/ |title= Top 100 Picture Books Poll Results |author= Bird, Elizabeth |publisher= [[School Library Journal]] "A Fuse #8 Production" blog |date= July 6, 2012 |access-date= August 22, 2012 |archive-date= December 4, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121204030956/http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2012/07/06/top-100-picture-books-poll-results |url-status= dead}}</ref>

==Film adaptation==
{{Main|The Polar Express (film)}}
''[[The Polar Express (film)|The Polar Express]]'' is a 2004 American animated film based on the book. Written, produced, and directed by [[Robert Zemeckis]], the film features human characters animated using the live action [[performance capture]] technique.

The film stars [[Tom Hanks]], [[Daryl Sabara]], [[Nona Gaye]], [[Jimmy Bennett]], [[Michael Jeter]], and [[Eddie Deezen]]. The film was first released in both conventional and IMAX 3D theaters November 10, 2004, and grossed $307 million worldwide.

== Rail tours ==
''The Polar Express'' has inspired real-life train rides across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom based on the book and film.<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride |url=https://www.raileventsinc.com/polar-express-train-ride/ |access-date=September 8, 2022 |website=Rail Events Inc. |language=en-US}}</ref> These train rides are hosted by a number of different railways, including the [[Grand Canyon Railway]], the [[Great Smoky Mountains Railroad]], the [[Texas State Railroad]], the [[Steam Railroading Institute]] in [[Owosso, Michigan]], the [[Valley Railroad (Connecticut)|Valley Railroad]] in [[Connecticut]], the [[Western Maryland Scenic Railroad]] in [[Frostburg, Maryland]], and others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Polar Express {{!}} Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel |url=https://www.thetrain.com/events/polar-express/ |access-date=September 8, 2022 |website=Grand Canyon Railway |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |last2= |first2= |date=October 16, 2019 |title=Hot ticket: Polar Express on Grand Canyon Railway |url=https://azbigmedia.com/lifestyle/experience-az/hot-ticket-polar-express-on-grand-canyon-railway/ |access-date=September 8, 2022 |website=AZ Big Media |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=THE POLAR EXPRESS {{!}} Believe the Magic on This Holiday Season Christmas Train Ride |url=https://www.gsmr.com/events/polar-express/ |access-date=September 8, 2022 |website=Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in NC |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Polar Express - Texas State Railroad - Buy Tickets Today |url=https://texasstaterailroad.net/home/events/polar-express/ |access-date=September 8, 2022 |website=Texas State Railroad |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Tucci |first=Joseph |date=September 13, 2022 |title=Essex Steam Train announces North Pole Express 2022 dates |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/things-to-do/article/essex-steam-train-north-pole-express-2022-17438314.php |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=CT Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Book Your Polar Express Tickets Today |url=https://wmsr.com/the-polar-express |access-date=December 20, 2022 |website=Western Maryland Scenic Railroad |language=en}}</ref> Beginning in 2016, the UK's [[Telford Steam Railway]] offered the Polar Express ride on a steam engine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Families going loco for Telford Steam Railway's Polar Express |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/2016/12/11/families-going-loco-for-telford-steam-railways-polar-express/ |access-date=September 8, 2022 |website=www.shropshirestar.com |date=December 11, 2016 |language=en}}</ref> One of the most popular Polar Express train rides in the UK is at [[Churnet Valley Railway]].{{citation needed|date=November 2025}} Australia's [[Puffing Billy Railway]] and [[Bellarine Railway]] are also popular choices.{{according to whom|date=November 2025}}

The round-trip journey to the "North Pole" commonly includes a live musical performance, hot cocoa and cookies, and Christmas characters such as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2022 |title=All aboard! Tickets on sale for The Polar Express train ride in Galveston |url=https://www.khou.com/article/features/polar-express-train-ride-galveston/285-e5fa06bd-1068-4f70-b7fe-9c0c64d606ca |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=khou.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stegen |first=Anne |date=September 8, 2022 |title=Tickets on sale for the Polar Express out of St. Louis |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/tickets-polar-express-st-louis-buy-union-station-board-the-north-pole-and-a-see-santa-clause/63-3820c0cb-1414-4cbc-8d6a-27a69e7b1393 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=ksdk.com |language=en-US}}</ref> At some locations, guests are invited to wear pajamas.<ref name=":2" />

==Notes==
{{notelist |notes=
{{efn|name=smith |1=
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary edition, Vicki Smith observed for ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]'' online that the real audience of the book may be nostalgic adults rather than young children who presumably believe in Santa Claus. In effect it questions the existence of Santa Claus, for the plot turns on who does and who does not believe.<ref>[https://www.kirkusreviews.com/features/whos-hearing-those-christmas-bells "Who's Hearing Those Christmas Bells?: Wondering about the real readership of THE POLAR EXPRESS"]. Vicki Smith. September 10, 2015. Kirkus (kirkusreviews.com). Retrieved January 22, 2016.</ref>
}}
}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|aw}}
{{succession box|title=[[Caldecott Medal|Caldecott Medal recipient]]|before=''[[Saint George and the Dragon (book)|Saint George and the Dragon]]''|after=''[[Hey, Al]]''|years=[[1986 in literature|1986]]}}
{{s-end}}

== External links ==
* [http://polarexpress.com/ The Polar Express]
* {{IMDb name|0885575|Chris Van Allsburg}}

{{Chris Van Allsburg}}
{{Caldecott Medal}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Polar Express, The}}
[[Category:1985 children's books]]
[[Category:Caldecott Medal–winning works]]
[[Category:American picture books]]
[[Category:Novels by Chris Van Allsburg]]
[[Category:Picture books by Chris Van Allsburg]]
[[Category:Christmas children's books]]
[[Category:Children's books about rail transport]]
[[Category:Children's books set in the Arctic]]
[[Category:Children's books set in Michigan]]
[[Category:Houghton Mifflin books]]
[[Category:Children's books adapted into films]]
[[Category:The Polar Express|*]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. Pictures franchises]]