"The Polar Express"

[Krisu]

I love this book It used to be a ritual to read it at Christmas with my DS (now age 15). Here in Essex,Ct. there is a steam train that is having a Polar Express ride. Kids come in their PJ's for a 1 hour ride featuring a live narration of the story with hot chocolate and cookies. I wish I had a little one to bring

 

[oogieboogie]

You'll be happy to know that a movie is coming out next year called "The Polar Express". It's an animation and it stars Tom Hanks. You can see the preview at apple.com. It looks real good. I'm excited and can't wait.

 

[caseylouandtyler2]

Krisu,

I saw that on there website and on the news (I think) last year. As soon as DS 11 mos is old enough to enjoy it. We will be taking the kids. I can't wait.

Have you ever gone to the Thomas the Tank they have there in November? Again waiting to DS is old enough.


I haven't been over to the steam trains since I was very little, I think I saw "The Freedom Train" or something like that.

 

[figment95]

I am a preschool teacher and my class has a Polar Express party every year. We all come to school in our PJ's, read the book and have cocoa and cookies. Can't wait!

 

[Lorix2]

My son's kindergarten class is having a p.j. party too and reading the Polar Express. We have the book and when I bought it, my son didn't want anything to do with it. Wasn't interested at all.

I think now would be a good idea to reintroduce him to it. He did tell me though, that there's no way he's going to school in his p.j's.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

We have a version here in Utah also- Which my friend and I went on last week. It was soo much fun but I wish I wouldve had a kid that still believed in Santa

-em

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I used to love that book! It was a favorite of mine.


Another one was some story about a huge Christmas tree bought by some rich guy, and the top was too tall...so, he cut off the top, and then someone else took it, shaved off a little more off the top...eventually, there was a mouse that had it's own little Christmas tree, too. I wish I remembered the name of that one!

 

[tiggerlover]

I love the Polar Express. DS (7) and I read it every year at Christmas time. DS also loves the Essex Steam Train, we enjoyed taking special excursions when we were stationed in Groton. Sure wish we were there now, DS would love it!

 

[RUDisney]

Friends of ours gave us 4 tickets last year on the Polar Express. Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pa does this every year. The only complaint that I have about it is that the PA system on the train was awful and unless you were right next to the woman reading the story, all you really heard was garbled static. Halfway through the ride, a number of seasonal characters, and of course, Santa, came onto the train for pictures and cheer. Santa handed all of the children silver bells and his elves passed out the cookies and cocoa.

 

[DisneyCP2002]

I love that book! I am so excited to hear that they will be making a movie of it. Wish there was a place around here giving a ride on the Polar Express, I would definetly ride it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I loved reading that book to the kids each year when they were little. I always was misty-eyed by the time I was finished.

 

[phisigprincess]

The second that I read the post about it being a movie I was on the phone with my dad. He is BEYOND thrilled. He still reads it to my sister and I on Christmas... and we're 22 and 19. lol. It's his favorite Christmas book. That totally just made our day.

 

[stamper]

Oh we love the book here!!! Saw the preview at the movies last weekend and we were soooo excited! DD is 13 and can't wait for it to be out next year....DS 6 too!

There is also a train in N. Conway, NH that does a Polar Express each year.

Taht book just gives ya the "warm fuzzies"!

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by Stepharoonie!

Another one was some story about a huge Christmas tree bought by some rich guy, and the top was too tall...so, he cut off the top, and then someone else took it, shaved off a little more off the top...eventually, there was a mouse that had it's own little Christmas tree, too. I wish I remembered the name of that one!

I think that is: "Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385327218/102-3089852-4956940?v=glance

Another excellent children's Christmas book is "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey" by Susan Wojciechowski. It really gets you into the holiday spirit. It is about a lonely, grumpy wood carver who is asked by a widow and her son to carve a nativity set for them. Through carving each part of the set, he learns the true meaning of Christmas. It is a beautiful story with gorgeous illustrations.