The Polar Express

Written by Chris Van Allsburg
Illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg

Suitable for: 0-5 years, 5-7 years (Key stage 1), 7-11 years (Key stage 2)

Sponsored by: The Mackintosh Foundation

Available braille grades: Grade 1, Grade 2

Late on Christmas Eve, after the town has gone to sleep, a boy boards a mysterious train that waits for him: the Polar Express bound for the North Pole. When he arrives there, Santa offers him any gift he desires. The boy modestly asks for one bell from the reindeer’s harness. It turns out to be a very special gift, for only believers in Santa can hear it ring.

Chris Van Allsburg won the Caldecott Medal for The Polar Express.

Read by Aria Mia Loberti

Listen to an audio clip

Hello there, my name’s Aria. This is a magical Christmas story about a boy who goes on a wonderful train journey. It is a well loved American picture book that children enjoy reading at Christmastime. The author is called Chris, Chris also drew the illustrations in the book and he is a very good artist. He created then in oil pastels which are sticks of colour a bit like crayons. His pictures are very lifelike and even though the story is set on a snowy, cold Christmas Eve the pictures have a magical warmth to them. Let’s start with the front cover. The title of the book is written in bold, white letters across the top, below is the engine of an old fashioned steam train. At the front of the train is a pointed snow plough, this helps the train push its way through the snow, which is falling steadily through the night sky.

What's inside

A picture book with braille pages and painted, raised tactile images.
Audio descriptions with music and sound effects on CD, and USB if you have chosen this format. Audio description available to stream from your online account.
An ‘Articles for the Blind’ returns label for the free and convenient return of the box.