Pages

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!

    ReplyDelete
  2. When he finds the bell at the end

    ReplyDelete
  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

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love when the conductor clips the tickets

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  8. Favorite part is when he meets Santa

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love when he finds the bell

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love the Hot Chocolate song & dance scene

    freebiel0ve@yahoo.com

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

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the kids when they are on the train ride

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

    ReplyDelete
  16. The song on the train with the waiters :)

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love the part where he gets the bell

    ReplyDelete
  23. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I like when they are dancing during hot chocolate!

    ReplyDelete
  25. 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!

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

    ReplyDelete
  27. I like it when he gets the bell.

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

    ReplyDelete
  29. When he gets to choose the first gift

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  32. 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

    ReplyDelete
  33. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  34. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  35. 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

    ReplyDelete
  36. Then hot chocolate song and dance scene

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  41. i love the end with the tickets.and i love the beautiful colors and drawings.

    ReplyDelete
  42. My favorite part is when the conductor clips the tickets.

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

    ReplyDelete
  44. my favorite part is when he finally hears the bell

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  47. 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

    ReplyDelete
  48. When he finds the bell in the end!

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love the train ride because I love trains too.

    ReplyDelete