Monday, October 26, 2015

The Polar Express 30th Anniversary Edition Book #Review & #Giveaway! (U.S.) Ends 11/15 #HolidayGiftGuide #ReadAndBelieve #SeeingIsBelieving


To celebrate this milestone anniversary, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is introducing a stunning 30th anniversary edition of The Polar Express, which reveals a new jacket design and expanded interior layout, and includes a letter from Van Allsburg, downloadable audio read by Liam Neeson and a golden Keepsake Ornament.

The Polar Express was first published in 1985, has been honored with a Caldecott Medal, the highest accolade in children's books; inspired dozens of seasonal train rides around the country; served as the theme for countless elementary school pageants; and perhaps most important of all, remains a steadfast reminder to readers young and old of the true magic of Christmas.



About the Book:
One Christmas Eve many years ago, a boy lies in bed, listening hard for the bells of Santa’s sleigh, which he has been told by a friend do not exist. Later that night he hears not bells but a very different sound. He looks out his window and is astounded to see a steam engine parked in front of his house! The conductor invites him to board the Polar Express, a train filled with children on their way to the North Pole.

The train takes the children to the center of the city, where Santa and the elves have gathered for the giving of the first gift of Christmas. The boy is chosen to receive this first gift. Knowing that he can choose anything in the world, he decides on a simple gift: one silver bell from Santa’s sleigh. Santa cuts a bell from a reindeer’s harness and the delighted boy slips it into his bathrobe pocket as the clock strikes midnight and the reindeer pull the sleigh into the sky.

When the children return to the train, the boy realizes the bell has fallen through a hole in his pocket. Heartbroken, he is returned to his home. In the morning, his little sister finds one small box with the boy’s name on it among the presents. Inside is the silver bell! The boy and his sister are enchanted by its beautiful sound, but their parents cannot hear it. The boy continues to believe in the spirit of Christmas and is able to hear the sweet ringing of the bell even as an adult.


My Review:
We watch The Polar Express movie several times before Christmas. It has become part of our family movie tradition. I am a kid at heart. I love believing in Christmas Magic, and I love helping my three children to do so too! Now we can incorporate reading the book during the holidays too! There are a few differences in the book then there are in the movie. The movie added a few things in that aren't included inside the book. I really like them both! I can't wait to hang the Ornament on my Christmas Tree this year and every year going forward. What a great edition to our ornament collection!

There is information for teachers and educators, discussion guide, a party kit, printable games, activities and more on PolarExpress.com! You can also enter The Polar Express Holiday Sweepstakes on the website for a chance to win a very special grand prize: An all-expenses paid trip for one lucky family of four to ride The Polar Express Train in Durango, Colorado! Sweepstakes ends on 12/31/2015.

Check out The Polar Express Pintrest Board!


Win It!

Enter below using the Rafflecopter form for a chance to win your own copy of The Polar Express 30th Anniversary Edition Book! Giveaway is open to residents of All 50 U.S. States, 18 years of age or older. Giveaway ends on Sunday, 11/15 at midnight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure: I received a copy of The Polar Express 30th Anniversary Edition Book in exchange for my post. No other compensation was exchanged or received.

64 comments:

  1. I like when he makes it home safely. That is the scariest train ride ever!

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  2. When he finds the bell at the end

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  3. must say I have never seen the movie or read the book but I think my little niece would love this. thankyou, ken pohl19@comcast.net

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  4. I love it when the kids sing up at the sky off the back of the train.

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  5. I love when the conductor clips the tickets

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  6. I like the end where he finds the ticket.

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  7. I love the Hot Chocolate song & dance scene on the train!

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  8. Favorite part is when he meets Santa

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  9. I live the ending ,natbelinsky@verizon.net

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  10. I think there's no comparison to the moment he opens the box to find the lost bell inside.

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  11. I love the Hot Chocolate song & dance scene

    freebiel0ve@yahoo.com

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  12. I like when the little girl sings "When Christmas comes to town"

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  13. I love the kids when they are on the train ride

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  14. I love the hot chocolate scene, but also when he finds the cold bell!

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  15. The song on the train with the waiters :)

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  16. My favorite part is the end when he gets the gift and hears the bell;)

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  17. My favorite part is when they are in the North pole

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  18. I adore the hot chocolate scene. We love watching this movie every Christmas.

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  19. My favorite part of the movie is when he receives the lost bell at the end and the train ride! Thanks!

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  20. I like there the Hobo is a “ghost” who asks the boy if he believes in ghosts
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  21. I love the part where he gets the bell

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  22. I love all the illustrations. When my brother and I were kids (nearly 30 years ago) we went to a Chris Van Allsburg book signing and my brother chose The Polar Express. When my son turned 2, my brother sent him that signed copy and it was such a meaningful gift! I'd love to win this copy to gift to my new niece who is on the way.

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  23. I like when they are dancing during hot chocolate!

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  24. If you can believe it, I've never seen the movie or read the book! ,y daughter will be two this Christmas and loves trains so I hope this will become a family favorite!

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  25. I have not seen this movie but would love to with my son. It looks like a wonderful movie.

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  26. I like it when he gets the bell.

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  27. I've actually never seen it.
    mcfallsk8er[at]aim[dot]com

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  28. When he gets to choose the first gift

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  29. When the conductor clicks the tickets and at the end he finishes and the word "Believe" appears.

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  30. When the boy rings his bell and finally says he believes

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  31. My favorite part of the book is reading it to my kids, and getting to the part when he loses the bell...... only for them to find out that he will get it back once more! The email I check most often is fossil316@aol.com

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  32. I havent seen this movie in forever but isnt there a scene where they are on top of the train? Lol i think i liked that part. I read the book for the first time in 4th grade and i know my son will love this book.

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  33. Love the polar express! We were able to go on a local "polar express" train last year. Would love this book. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

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  34. I LOVE trains and all the scenes that show the train and railroad and tracks makes me very nostalgic for the "good Old Days"! Nicole Bowers

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  35. Then hot chocolate song and dance scene

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  36. My favorite is the train ride, with all the excitement and anticipation of embarking on a new wonderful adventure.

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  37. This is such a great movie! I like the part when the train is on the ice and it's cracking.

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  38. I love reading the book to my children and the feeling it gives you still at the end, the magic

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  39. The best part of Polar Express are the beautiful illustrations on every single page.

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  40. i love the end with the tickets.and i love the beautiful colors and drawings.

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  41. My favorite part is when the conductor clips the tickets.

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  42. I really like it when the conductor clips the tickets. I also like the hot chocolate scene

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  43. my favorite part is when he finally hears the bell

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  44. I like the part where they are riding the train with the Hot Chocolate scene singing and dancing.

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  45. My favorite part is when he gets to hear the bell!

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  46. I like the hot chocolate part but honestly this whole movie is one of my favorites and cant wait to watch it with my kids.
    amy williams
    sethandtjay at yahoo dot com

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  47. When he finds the bell in the end!

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  48. I love the train ride because I love trains too.

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