The Polar Express [Anglais] [Relié]

One couldn't select a more delightful and exciting premise for a children's book than the tale of a young boy lying awake on Christmas Eve only to have Santa Claus sweep by and take him on a trip with other children to the North Pole. And one couldn't ask for a more talented artist and writer to tell the story than Chris Van Allsburg. Allsburg, a sculptor who entered the genre nonchalantly when he created a children's book as a diversion from his sculpting, won the 1986 Caldecott Medal for this book, one of several award winners he's produced. The Polar Express rings with vitality and wonder.

The Polar Express book and CD gift set is a charming collage of enchanting sounds, lyrical words, and climatic storytelling. Read by Academy Award-winning actor William Hurt, author Chris Van Allsburg's children's classic--a winner of the Caldecott Medal--is accompanied by a handsome melody and the sweet sounds of sleigh bells, train whistles, and spirited cheers from hundreds of Santa's elves. The composition stirs the listener's imagination, bringing to life the magic of Christmas. Coupled with a hardcover book (and a special gift from Santa's sleigh), listeners can read along and gaze at luminescent drawings page after page. The Polar Express touches the imagination of those "who truly believe." (Running time: 11 minutes, one cassette) --Cate Bick --Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.

Grade 1-3 Given a talented and aggressive imagination, even the challenge of as cliche-worn a subject as Santa Claus can be met effectively. Van Allsburg's Polar Express is an old-fashioned steam train that takes children to the North Pole on Christmas Eve to meet the red-suited gentleman and to see him off on his annual sleigh ride. This is a personal retelling of the adult storyteller's adventures as a youngster on that train. The telling is straight, thoughtfully clean-cut and all the more mysterious for its naive directness; the message is only a bit less direct: belief keeps us young at heart. The full-page images are theatrically lit. Colors are muted, edges of forms are fuzzy, scenes are set sparsely, leaving the details to the imagination. The light comes only from windows of buildings and the train or from a moon that's never depicted. Shadows create darkling spaces and model the naturalistic figures of children, wolves, trees, old-fashioned furniture and buildings. Santa Claus and his reindeer seem like so many of the icons bought by parents to decorate yards and rooftops: static, posed with stereotypic gestures. These are scenes from a memory of long ago, a dreamy reconstruction of a symbolic experience, a pleasant remembrance rebuilt to fufill a current wish: if only you believe, you too will hear the ringing of the silver bell that Santa gave him and taste rich hot chocolate in your ride through the wolf-infested forests of reality. Van Allsburg's express train is one in which many of us wish to believe. Kenneth Marantz, Art Education Department, Ohio State University, Columbus
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

. . . the pictures may be the best he's done. There is nothing cute here, rather there is something I would have to call majestic.

This production of the Caldecott winner enchants from the first notes of the magically mysterious music that introduces and supports the story of a boy's trip to meet Santa Claus. Narrator Liam Neeson's warm, deep voice encourages listeners young and old to dream along with the lucky boy aboard the Polar Express. Neeson's pacing is also exquisite--just slow enough for children reading along with the accompanying book, yet never too slow. The packaging of this production deserves special mention--a large-format hardcover book, easy-to-play tape, and Polar Express medal all wrapped up in a color slipcase. This is the perfect present for the child on your list. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.

The sumptuous pastel effects-train lights seen through falling snow and a vertiginous overhead view, from Santa's sleigh, of his popular city-make this one of Van Allsburg's most treasured visions.

"One couldn't select a more delightful and exciting premise for a children's book than the tale of a young boy lying awake on Christmas Eve only to have Santa Claus sweep by and take him on a trip with other children to the North Pole. And one couldn't ask for a more talented artist and writer to tell the story than Chris Van Allsburg. Van Allsburg, a sculptor who entered the genre nonchalantly when he created a children's book as a diversion from his sculpting, won the 1986 Caldecott Medal for this book, one of several award winners he's produced. The Polar Express rings with vitality and wonder."

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa.

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa. 1986 Caldecott Medal book. Full color.

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus.

A paperback and CD edition of this magical Christmas classic, narrated by Liam Neeson.
--Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.

Author and illustrator Chris Van Allsburg has created numerous picture books for readers of all ages. He is the recipient of two Caldecott Medals, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, and has received many other awards, including the Regina Medal for Lifetime achievement in children's literature. While he now works full time on his books, he has also been a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design. After completing his first book, Chris Van Allsburg said, "I have this theory that, drawing from my imagination, I am likely to leave a lot of small details out and create a drawing that ultimately has a touch of the surreal." Each of his books, in its own unique and intriguing way, has proved this theory to be true. From retired magicians and mysterious board games to flying beds and flying boats; from nighttime train rides and missing stories to strange visitors and busy brooms the result of Chris Van Allsburg's fertile imagination and skillful drawing is many surreal adventures that can be opened and explored again and again. --Ce texte fait référence à une édition épuisée ou non disponible de ce titre.