Author: Chris Van Allsburg
Title: The Polar Express
Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Year: 1985
Format: Hardcover
Genre: Picture Storybook
Reading Level: Assisted
Interest-Level: Pre-school, Primary, Elementary
Topics: Caldecott, Christmas, The North Pole, Santa Claus, Elves, Winter, Trains
Summary: The story begins with a little boy lying in bed waiting for Christmas and debating whether or not Santa Claus is real. Moments later he is startled by a noise outside his window and looks out to see a train, The Polar Express, waiting to take him on an adventure to the North Pole.
Extension Activities:-Have the kids come to class in their pajamas that day for a “special event”. Put their chairs in rows of two to mimic the seating on a train. As they come in, hand them a ticket to board The Polar Express! After you read the story, hand our hot chocolate and have activities such as coloring their own ticket, making bell necklaces or have print offs of trains for them to create their own Polar Express.
