Author/ Illustrator:
Chris Van Allsburg
Chris Van Allsburg is from Grand Rapids Michigan, where he and his family moved to different houses when he was growing up. He never took art classes in high school, but was accepted in the University of Michigan's art school. After graduating he began sculpture work and did some drawings in his spare time. His wife convinced him to draw for children's books. Since then, he has written and illustrated 15 books and has illustrated three others that were written by Mark Helprin.
Synopsis:
This is a story about a boy who after the town is sleeping gets on a train called the Polar Express. He visits the North Pole where Santa offers him any gift he wants, and the boy chooses a bell from one of the reindeer’s harnesses. On his way home the boy looses the bell, but on Christmas morning he finds the bell under the tree.
The mother of the boy that received the bell thinks the bell is broken, but only believers of Santa and the magic of Christmas can hear the sound of the bell.
Pre Reading Activity:
Questions:
Who comes on Christmas Eve? What does he drive? What pulls Santa’s sleigh? Where does Santa live? How do you think people get there? Who has heard of the Polar Express?
Activity:
Have the class draw pictures of Santa and his reindeer, and the North Pole.
Post Reading Activity:
Questions:
Would you like to ride on the Polar Express? Would you like to have one of Santa’s reindeer’s bells? Do you think you would be able to hear the bell?
Activity:
After reading the story, have the students write a letter to Santa, asking him for a bell from his reindeer’s, address it, and “send it” this would be done around Christmas, then as a gift for each student before Christmas, leave a bell on each of their desks from Santa.
Reflection:
I think this is a great story for children to discover at anytime of the year, but especially around Christmas. I think as adults we sometimes forget the true meaning of Christmas, I think children have the ability to see hear things that adults can't. Like Santa's bells on his reindeer. I think adults become too consumed with busy schedules, which cloud their senses sometimes to what life/ Christmas should really be about. I love the spirit this book brings to the reader.
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