The Polar Express: Mini Edition

I ordered it for my 5 year old. Immer both love it. Paper quality is also very good but the colours could have been brighter as kids love colourful story books

What a gorgeous edition for celebrating 30th anniversary of the book. The size of the book is enormously large to demonstrate the beautiful artistry by the author. The full size illustrations are too good and very well depict the imaginary world.My son loved the movie of same title and watched it so many times that I thought of gifting this wonderful edition to him. And he was so thrilled to receive it, going through it 2-3 times on the day he got it.There is a small note from the author at the end of the book which is worth reading. As we grow up and start adjusting with the reality, we slowly start leaving behind the childhood imaginary world which once thrilled and entertained our lives. But there is always a train that would take us to that bygone days and help cherish the memories forever.There is a password in the book to download the audio book which has a melodious background symphony. Listening to the audio while going through the illustrations is the thing your kid would surely love.* Note - Above review is for the 30th Anniversary Edition ISBN 978-0544580145 :

Very nice illustrations. Beautiful font.Giving 4 stars only because being an adult I felt it's very short especially after seing movie this seems a very short summary. Also, size of book could be bigger only to bring artwork to a greater life.Still, it's great to have it, own it. Seing the cover itself brings a smile on my face everytime I have a look at it.Thanks to the author for creating this bookI still hear the bell.

Received virtually a pocket book with tiny font. Nothing alluring about the edition. Intend to return it

Very nicely done. Lovely imagery. For me, the book came to life. A classic for the ages and one that I read every now and then when winter sets in and Christmas is around the corner.

love the movie and the book is beautiful with rich illustrations.

I bought this for myself (I'm 29) because after watching the excellent film I wanted to read the book it was based on. It's a lovely story and is beautifully presented. It reminds me of the excitement and magic of Christmas that you can only really experience as a child. This will be a book I'll keep to read to my children when I have them.

My then three-year-old son fell in love with the film last Christmas and after a viewing break of ten and a bit months, has become quite obsessed with it this year. I decided to get him the book, half expecting him to disregard it for not being EXACTLY like the film (the content seems to me to be the same, but there are aspects - such as the hot chocolate song - which are absent, if you get my meaning) but he appears to love it in it's own right. Much of the language is exactly as it is in the film and the illustrations are lovely. It's a relatively long story, which for some four-year-olds may not be for them, but mine is captivated by the story - and all things train (but only STEAM train!).

This is the larger hard back version and an amazing price for it (£9.75 INC PP), from Aprohead books, best proce I found. ISBN number 978-1-544-58014-5.The cloth board covers are in a Maroon colour with a silver bell embossed and the dust jacket is the usual image of the polar express itself.Bought it for my children as part of their Christmas Eve box, this version comes with a fine metal ornament attached the the back cover and a code for a free downloadable audio version of the story. A lovely edition.Ideal for telling on Christmas Eve and a lovely keepsake. I have also bought them a small box and silver sleigh bell to go with it, just for that extra touch of magic. Well it is Christmas.

Bought for our grandchildren to read/listen to over Christmas. I opted for the 'soft cover' version. It's a lovely story book, not too long and the colours of the pictures are very attractive. I've watched the film over a number of years and never get bored with it; hence the reason for me buying the book for our grandchildren. Would happily recommend.

Anyone expecting this book to be the story of the film will be slightly disappointed, the film builds on the bones of the story and expands it, slightly losing the simplicity along the way. Both book and story have the same values though - BELIEF!The story bridges that gap in childhood that comes when the realisation dawns that Father Christmas is not a real person, but tells that there is still something to believe in your heart. In this beautifully illustrated book, the boy has a huge adventure on Christmas eve, travelling to the North Pole on a vast Steam Train, journeying through the frozen wastes to Santa's home where the elves are preparing his sleigh. The boy is chosen to receive the first gift of Christmas and, not wishing to be greedy, chooses a silver bell from the reindeer harness, which slips through a hole in his pocket and is lost.It would spoil the story to tell the outcome - you will have to read it yourself!! The verson I bought also has a CD with the story read by Liam Neeson, twice. The first part straightforwardly, in the second a silver bell rings when it is time to turn the page and so a child who canot read can enjoy the magnificent pictures in context. I cannot recommend this book too highly for all believers and almost believers. As a companion to the DVD it is perfect.