Van Allsburg, C. (1985). The polar express. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
"Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe" (Van Allsburg, 1985). I love to start each blog post with a quote. It takes me back to when I'm wrapped up in the words of the author, almost as if I have experienced those words for the first time. My next three posts (including this one) will stem from books written by Chris Van Allsburg, one of my favorite children's authors (I should admit I have many). The quote above comes from one of my most cherished reads, The Polar Express. Van Allsburg captivates the reader with a story about a young boy's journey to the North Pole, his meeting with Santa Claus, and a gift he receives that will be treasured by him for years to come.
After reading The Polar Express it is clear why Chris Van Allsburg earned the Caldecott Medal for his well-known picture book. The words alone cannot tell the story and do it justice. The illustrations contribute a great deal of meaning to the story. Van Allsburg uses oil pastels to create illustrations revealing a realistic art style. For example, the children's faces are clearly detailed...in a sense, they almost appear real. So, why did Van Allsburg choose oil pastels as his medium? Maybe he wanted the reader to sense the emotional side of the story. This takes us back to the opening quote...see above. The main character in the story believes in Santa Claus, and experiences a night he will never forget as he travels aboard the Polar Express to the North Pole. The theme of the story is believing and looking forward to the gifts of Christmas morning.
I have always loved reading this book aloud to children during the Christmas season. Nearly all children can relate to the skepticism of Santa Claus, as well as the anticipation of Christmas morning. If you are considering using this story in your classroom (and I strongly encourage you to do so) model the think aloud strategy. Helping students learn to think aloud while reading will aid them in gaining deep comprehension of text. For example, you could use the page pictured below to model the think aloud strategy with the following statement, "I wonder what response the boy gives Santa Claus".
The Polar Express is an excellent example of quality children's literature. Before signing off, consider these thoughtful questions to ponder and ask your students:
- How would you feel if The Polar Express pulled up in front of your house and the conductor yelled, “All Aboard"?
- How do you think the little boy felt when he was chosen to receive the first gift of Christmas?
- Why do you think Santa chose the little boy to receive the first gift of Christmas (what was the author trying to tell the reader)?
- Why do you think the little boy chose the gift he did?
- Why couldn't the boy's mother and father hear the bell?
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