The Polar Express

Somehow I missed the train when this book became such a big hit, pardon the pun.  I had skimmed it in the past and I know my kids saw the movie and at least one of them owns a copy of the book but I never sat down and really read it until today.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I am not sure what I expected.  Turns out, this was a really sweet book about holding on to the belief in Santa.
The story revolves around a boy who is waiting for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.  But not just waiting.  Desparately waiting to hear the sound of those bells on Santa's sleigh.  Seems a friend told him that Santa is make believe and he is determined to hear him when he arrives at his house.  But instead of Santa, a train, The Polar Express arrives.  The conductor tells the boy they are going to the North Pole.  The boy boards the train and off they go on a wonderful adventure.  Once at the North Pole, they meet Santa Claus and he chooses the boy to be child to receive the first gift of Christmas that year.  I won't tell you what the boy asks for because it will spoil the rest of the story.
The boy's belief in Santa is what drives the story and keeps Christmas alive for him.  I think young and old would enjoy this book.  It makes me want to keep that kernel of hope alive inside my kids for as long as I can so that Christmas stays magical and wonderful for them, like it was for me growing up.  My parents allowed us to believe in Santa until we just didn't anymore and for years, Christmas was a time of magic and hopes and dreams. I may actually try to watch the movie now to see what it is all about.  This is a very quick read and the illustrations do not detract from the story.  They are well done but almost abstract in nature.  You are forced to focus on the story and not on the pictures.
[book:The Polar Express|420282]