The Polar Express

The Polar Express is a 1985 fantasy children's picture book written and illustrated by American author Chris Van Allsburg. The book is now widely considered to be a classic Christmas story for young children. It was praised for its detailed illustrations and calm, relaxing storyline. For the work, Van Allsburg won the annual Caldecott Medal for illustration of an American children's picture book in 1986, his second after Jumanji.

This article is about the book. For the film adaptation, see The Polar Express (film). For the video game, see The Polar Express (video game). For the soundtrack, see The Polar Express (soundtrack).
Not to be confused with the Polar Bear Express, a real-life train between Cochrane and Moosonee in Ontario, Canada.

The Polar Express
Cover
AuthorChris Van Allsburg
IllustratorChris Van Allsburg
Cover artistChris Van Allsburg
CountryUnited States
GenreChildren's picture book
PublisherHoughton Mifflin
Publication date
November 12, 1985
Media typePrint (hardcover)
Pages32
ISBN978-0-395-38949-2
OCLC12162097
[E] 19
LC ClassPZ7.V266 Po 1985
Preceded byThe Mysteries of Harris Burdick 
Followed byThe Stranger 

The book is set partially in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the author's home town, and was inspired in part by Van Allsburg's memories of visiting the Herpolsheimer's and Wurzburg's department stores as a child. It was adapted as an Oscar-nominated motion-capture film in 2004 starring Tom Hanks and directed by Robert Zemeckis. Van Allsburg served as an executive producer on the film.

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