Next up is one of my all-time favorite Christmas reads, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. Not sure that I can add much more to the review of this popular Christmas read. I'm sure many of you read this book this time of year and many watch the movie. It's the story of a young boy who finds himself one Christmas wondering if Santa Claus is real or not. He listens Christmas Eve for the sound of Santa's reindeer on his rooftop but instead hears the sounds of a steam engine train. He joins other children as they head to the North Pole aboard the Polar Express to meet none other than Santa himself. I hope one day to take the kids to a Christmas train event whether it's just a local one at our nearby transportation museum for a ride with Santa or one of the polar express train rides that can be found throughout the country. There's just something magical about Christmas and trains and the combination of the two is perfect to capture a young child's imagination and warm any ones' heart. The illustrations are remarkable too. I love the boldness and use of light and shadow to create an inviting, mysterious feeling as you get drawn into this adventure North.
