急行「北極号」

by Chris Van Allsburg

急行「北極号」

by
Chris Van Allsburg

book data

8,829 ratings, 4.17 average rating, 411 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		46%
4		30%
3		17%
2		4%
1		1%

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published

December 1987 by 河出書房新社 (first published October 28th 1985)

details

大型本

literary awards

Caldecott Medal (1986), Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Nominee for Picture Book - Honor Book (1986), Kentucky Bluegrass Award (1987) …more

Caldecott Medal (1986), Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Nominee for Picture Book - Honor Book (1986), Kentucky Bluegrass Award (1987), Buckeye Children's Book Award for K-2 (1991), Nevada Young Readers' Award for Primary Category/Picture Book Category (1988), Little Archer Award (1986) …less

isbn

4309260896 (isbn13: 9784309260891)

description

クリスマスイブの夜、眠らずにサンタクロースを待っていたひとりの少年が、ほかの子どもたちと一緒に北極…more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 9,589)

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Nov 12, 2008

Chandra rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

bookshelves: caldecott, christmas-holiday-winter, classics-kids, picture-books, wish-list

It always feels a little pointless to write yet another positive review for a book like this that is so universally loved. But here goes. I actually saw the movie before reading the book. The movie is just okay - a little lifeless. I really wish I had read the book first. It's a very different little story - much simpler, more room for imagination. It's just a really sweet and poignant story about holding on to the magic of childhood. And it just so happens the illustrations are really to...more

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Jan 27, 2008

Laurenj rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

Before the stupid friggin movie came out...I've never seen the movie and don't want to. There should be a law against converting beautiful children's books into "3-D Imax Format! Come pay money to see something you could read organically for free!"

Like this review? yes (2 people liked it)

2 comments

Aug 11, 2008

Linda rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

Read in January, 1988

I collect Christmas books and would eagerly scour the shelves for the newest stories each season, but for whatever reason I did not buy nor read The Polar Express - it just did not appeal to me. Then in 1987 I took my two daughters to Seattle via Amtrak to attend Maurice Sendak's stage setting of the Christmas classic The Nutcracker. Before going to the ballet, the girls and I spent an afternoon at a Christmas exhibit at the University of Washington and chanced to happen upon an older gentlem...more

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Jan 30, 2009

Amanda Casteel rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

bookshelves: children-s-books, lauren, lled-402-catalogue, my-library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 30, 2008

Jennifer rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

bookshelves: books-i-ve-read-to-my-children

Read in January, 1999

recommends it for: adults trying to recapture their mythic childhoods

My general opinion of Chris Van Allsburg is that his books are made to appeal to adults, not children. None of his books has ever been a favorite of my children. This book is a perfect example. The overall story has potential--a Christmas Eve train that takes Santa-believing children to the North Pole to witness the ritual of Santa giving the first gift of Christmas. But page after page of illustration focuses on the landscape the train travels. When the Polar Express arrives at the North P...more

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Aug 17, 2009

Jessicca rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

Read in May, 2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

What has become a Christmas classic, this is the story of a boy who goes on a journey to the North Pole to see Santa, by way of a magical train called the Polar Express. The train is filled with other children who sing Christmas carols and enjoy hot chocolate along the trip. Upon arriving at the North Pole, the conductor informs the children that the elves that make the toys are gathered in the center of the city awaiting Santa’s offering of the first gift of Christmas. This gift is to be b...more

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Feb 28, 2010

Ch_ebonysmith rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

bookshelves: fantasy-sci-fi

Read in February, 2010

A boy gets the treat of a lifetime when he is allowed to board the Polar Express. The Polar Express takes only the true believers of Santa Claus on a magical trip to the North Pole. The children are amazed at the sights of the North Pole. One special boy or girl is chosen to receive the first gift of the year. The main character is chosen to be the special recipient. He chooses a bell from Santa’s sleigh. Santa must be on his way and the children all board the Polar Express to return home. Th...more

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Jan 16, 2010

L-Gina Pecoraro rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

bookshelves: award-winning

Owns a copy

Polar Express, written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, won the Caldecott Award in 1986. In this book a young boy goes on a magical journey to the North Pole. This book has breathtaking illustrations that take the reader on a wonderful journey with the main character. The use of colors and shading help bring the story to life. The expressions on the characters’ faces allow the reader to see their excitement on the train and their disappointment when the young boy realizes his bell is...more

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Oct 03, 2009

(NS) Maria rated it:

(review of isbn 0395492815)

bookshelves: picture-books

This is a great book during Christmas time. It's a beautifully illustrated story about a young boy taking a magical journey train ride to the North Pole. When the young boy gets to the North Pole he is picked by Santa to receive the first gift. The gift he asks for is a silver bell from Santa's sleigh. The bell signfies him believing in Christmas. This story encourages children of all ages to explore their own imagination in this young's boy journey. At the end of the story the bell still ri...more

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5 comments

Oct 05, 2009

Miranda rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

bookshelves: picture-book-art

The soft colors and gentle shadings of Van Allsburg's illustrations contribute to the mood of mystery and support the dream-like quality of the story. Places and people seem to be suggestions of reality rather than concrete images. The soft covering of snow over each picture reminds the reader of looking into another world, as through a snow globe--a world of which the reader is not quite a part but wishes to go to. The use of light is effective in the story and contrasts with the shadows of ...more

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Apr 05, 2009

Josiah rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

I actually prefer the movie version of this to the book, but Chris Van Allsburg's illustrations and faultless storytelling combine within these pages to form an adventure of pure magic. Not many stories capture the awe of Christmas anticipation as does this book, and few books ooze magic as winsomely as The Polar Express. I'm often skeptical of movies that are based on good books, but in this instance both were top draw. I hope that, as with the picture book classics of Wanda Gag, The Polar Exp...more

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Jan 19, 2010

Sharon rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

bookshelves: bedtime-stories, children-s-books, classics, fantasy

The Polar Express provides a vivid story of a young boy's journey to the North Pole on the night before Christmas. I have loved this book since I was younger and it touches me because it meticulously details the essence of Christmas and everything that I absolutely love about Christmas. The illustrations of snow, the train, the mountains, Santa Claus and his helpers and reindeers; the pictures are just beautiful and they really attract me as a reader. I would suggest this book to children who ...more

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Dec 21, 2008

Kate rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

bookshelves: books-for-grown-up-kids

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 30, 2008

Lory rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

Read in December, 1986

The Polar Express is simply the best Christmas book ever written. My dad picked it up when we were kids after reading an article in the paper saying it was a great book for when your kids are getting to the age where they start doubting Santa Claus... which my sister and I were. For roughly 20 years, every year on Christmas Eve he still reads it to me, even though I now live halfway around the world. The story is enchanting and the illustrations are stellar. This book will make you believe i...more

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Feb 12, 2009

Brittany Koontz rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

bookshelves: lauren, reading-catalog

Author and Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg

Awards Won: Caldecott-1996
Genre: Fiction

Year Published: 1985

Reading Level: Ages 4-8; Fluent

Topic and Theme: Christmas, bell, trains

Curricular Use: Read Aloud, Group Reading, Independent Reading

Social: Believing

Text and Pictures: Much detail throughout the whole book, the pictures would make a child feel the Christmas spirit

Summary: A train stops outside ...more

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Dec 27, 2008

Dolly rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

bookshelves: 2008, caldecott-medal, childrens, christmas, reading-rainbow

Read in December, 2008

recommends it for: parents reading with their children

I was so hesitant to read this book; I absolutely hated the movie. I figured it would just be the same, but the parts of the movie I hated, the weird computer-generated animation and the people with soul-less eyes weren't as prevalent in the story. Plus, of course, it was a whole lot shorter, thus easier to take. I think our girls enjoyed it, but I definitely don't consider it a Christmas classic. I like the message of keeping Santa alive in your heart and the whole idea of Believing and Fai...more

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Mar 26, 2007

Amanda Hamilton rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

bookshelves: great-primary-read-alouds, reviewed

Winner of the Caldecott Medal and a New York Times Best Illustrated Book, The Polar Express is a charming story of a young boy’s adventure on Christmas Eve. Van Allsburg uses detailed illustrations and expressive language to bring this book to life.

While waiting anxiously to hear Santa’s sleigh bells, a boy is surprised when a train arrives at his front door the night before Christmas. With the conductor as his guide and other children as passengers, the boy takes The Polar Exp...more Winner of the Caldecott Medal and a New York Times Best Illustrated Book, The Polar Express is a charming story of a young boy’s adventure on Christmas Eve. Van Allsburg uses detailed illustrations and expressive language to bring this book to life.

While waiting anxiously to hear Santa’s sleigh bells, a boy is surprised when a train arrives at his front door the night before Christmas. With the conductor as his guide and other children as passengers, the boy takes The Polar Express to the North Pole where he is greeted by Santa. The excited boy is chosen to receive the first gift of Christmas and one of Santa’s silver sleigh bells becomes his gift. On Christmas morning he is surprised to find the bell under the tree, after believing it was lost after falling out of his pocket. Only he and his sister can hear the bell ringing, because they believe in Santa; and the boy continues to hear the bell and feel the magic of Christmas long after he is grown.

The Polar Express is a beautiful book and a classic Christmas story. Van Allsburg adds to the story by describing the emotions of the boy as he tells his story in first-person point of view. The author creates a picture of the boy’s experiences by writing, “From outside came the sounds of hissing steam and squeaking metal. I looked through my window and saw a train standing perfectly still in front of my house.” The lines “His teamed charged forward and climbed into the air” and “Santa circled once above us, then disappeared in the cold, dark polar sky” are examples of the high-quality text that accompanies the story’s amazing illustrations.

Van Allsburg filled the pages of this book with oil paintings in warm colors and muted colors with light playing an additional role in the story’s artwork. Because the story takes place entirely at night, shadows, twinkling lights in building windows, and stars on the horizon bring depth to each page.

A popular book and future motion picture, The Polar Express is a well-written and skillfully illustrated story that has become a staple in collections of holiday literature. Young children and adults alike will enjoy this wonderful winter story, which is just one of Van Allsburg’s excellent works.(less)

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Dec 15, 2008

Nely rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

Read in December, 2008

Since Christmas is right around the corner, I thought reading The Polar Express would be a fun get in the Christmas spirit type of read and I was not disappointed. This book holds all the magic of Christmas within it’s covers. It is a true Christmas Classic. The illustrations were a sight to behold as well. I also saw the movie and although it is a bit different from the book I enjoyed it immensely - so did my little ones.

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Feb 04, 2010

L-Angelica Herrera-Vest rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

bookshelves: fantasy-science-fiction

Read in January, 2010

I read El Expreso Polar (Spanish version) by Chris VanAllsburg and was immediately drawn to the story by the magical elements. Although I had seen the movie, my interest was held by this exquisite Spanish version. The magic in the book was supported by the effective use of language. Some of the vocabulary is definitely, on a higher level and are not common words for children. The story of the boy who boards a train to travel to the North Pole on Christmas Eve was delightful. The illustrations...more

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1 comment

Dec 29, 2009

Melanie rated it:

(review of isbn 0395389496)

bookshelves: favorite-picture-books

Read in December, 2009

I can't believe I've never read this book before now. As I sat down to watch the movie with my kids right before Christmas, I decided that the next time I was at the library, I needed to check it out. It is a treasure. I love the pictures and the simplicity of the story. I might just have to buy this one and add it to our Christmas book collection.

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2 comments