The Polar Express

Synopsis

Discover The Polar Express, a true Christmas classic, with this gifty, miniature hardback edition. "Magical" Guardian "Evocative and atmospheric" Sunday Times "A thrilling tale" Independent All aboard the Polar Express to the North Pole! Follow one boy's journey to recieve a very special gift from Santa himself: a bell that only true believers in Father Christmas can hear ring. Discover the beloved Christmas classic that inspired the blockbuster family favourite movie starring Tom Hanks.

Summary

The Polar Express is a magical children’s novel written by Chris Van Allsburg. The story follows a young boy who takes the Polar Express to the North Pole on a search for Christmas magic.

Chapter 1: On Christmas Eve the main character (who is unnamed in the book), is unsure if he believes in Santa Claus and the North Pole. He hears the sounds of a distant train, and begins to follow it. Upon a closer look, he realized it was the fabled Polar Express. He boarded the train, and the conductor welcomed him with a bell from the very first stop the train made. This place was the perfect example of the beauty and mystery of the Polar Express.

Chapter 2: As the Polar Express gains speed and continues to pick up more passengers, the conductor announces they will be stopping at the North Pole. When they arrive, the passengers descend the steps to a magical winter wonderland, greeting Santa's helpers and his reindeer before finally coming face to face with the big man himself, Santa Claus. The narrator is given the first gift of Christmas: a silver bell with a special significance only those who truly believe in Santa can hear.

Chapter 3: Santa and the passengers board the Polar Express and take off on their magical journey back to the narrator's home. Along the way, passengers experience the beauty of the winter night as they travel through snow-covered woodlands and past villages of houses glowing warm in the nightEach new stop brings excitement, and the conductor reminds the passengers of the importance of believing in something you can't see, like Santa.

Chapter 4: Back at home, the narrator's parents don't believe that the boy had actually taken a magical train ride to the North Pole. Yet, the edge of the bell the narrator received from Santa still has a glint of silver, the only proof the narrator has of his incredible journey. Christmas morning soon arrives, and the narrator is filled with wonder and hope at the thought of another wondrous year to come.

Chapter 5: On Christmas day, when the family gathers around the tree, the narrator shows his family the bell and tells them all the story of his magical journey on the Polar Express. Just as he finishes his story, the bell gives out the slightest ting, and just like that, the parents and the siblings in the family truly believe.

Chapter 6: The final chapter of the book wraps up the magical journey, and a gentle reminder is given to always keep the faith and hold on to the belief that anything is possible. As the book winds down, it brings with it one final word of advice: ‘Believe’.