The Polar Express: The Magic Journey - Fantasy

Source: Google Images

      "All aboard the Polar Express, bound for the North Pole," states the conductor as he stepped out of the passenger car. "The boy hesitated. The North Pole? Could it really be true? There was only one way to find out. He climbed aboard" (West, 2004).

      So begins the fantasy journey to the North Pole, where the magic of Christmas, along with the elves, presents, reindeer  pulling Santa's sleigh, and Santa come alive. The train stopped in each of the children's' towns, where they boarded in the middle of the night. Each child had a specific need: Know-It-All's return ticket was stamped LEARN. The Lonely Boy's ticket was stamped three times. It first read DEPEND, then RELY, then COUNT. Meaning, "Because you can depend on, rely on, and count on your new friends." The girl's ticket read LEAD, and the last boy's ticket read BELIEVE. Which is the meaning of Christmas, to believe (West, 2004). 

      This picture book has the actual illustrations from The Polar Express film and is exciting, colorful, and engaging. It is a perfect read aloud book that would be perfect after the Thanksgiving holiday...to prepare for the season ahead. A teacher could use the children in the book, who rode the train to the North Pole, to explain the importance of friendship and concern for one's fellow being. Each child came from a different circumstance, but all had the same goal - to see the magic of Christmas.

Reader Response Questions:

1. What type of train did the children ride on to the North Pole?

2. What type of animals forced the train to stop as it was nearing the North Pole?

3. When a person truly believes, what will ring?

Designed for first through fifth grade, The Polar Express is for everyone, as adults of all ages will tremendously enjoy the story. As one is never to old to truly believe.

Reference

West, T. (2004). The Polar Express: The Magic Journey. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.