(Red text represents lines from the book)
While it may seem as though The Polar Express is a Christmas book, Max believes it is appropriate for ALL seasons. He celebrated the Fourth of July with a dramatic reading and viewing of the movie. After Thanksgiving, Max was jittery with anticipation each day as he wondered if another trip on the Polar Express was in his future. Luckily for him, it was!
And this year Sarah, Mimi, and Babba were included on the ride!
The train museum provided entertainment while waiting for the call to board...
But even with all those amazing electric trains, Sarah and Max were attracted to the toy trains just like the ones they have at home.
Round Trip Tickets to the North Pole!
"All Aboard!"
Well," he said, "are you coming?" "Where?" I asked."Why, to the North Pole of course! This is the Polar Express!"
The train was filled with other children, all in their pajamas and nightgowns. Outside, the lights of towns and and villages flickered in the distance as the Polar Express raced northward.
We drank hot cocoa as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars.
(and ate cookies, too!)
The reading aloud of The Polar Express!
"There," said the conductor, "is the North Pole."
SANTA CLAUS!
"Let's have this fellow here. Now what would you like for Christmas?" Santa asked. What I wanted more than anything was one silver bell from Santa's sleigh. He stood, holding the bell high above him and called out,"The first gift of Christmas!"
Santa handed the bell to me, and I put it in my bathrobe pocket.
Santa complimented Max on his flashing Rudolph slippers, which was nice since he almost missed Santa is his determination to get the slippers on his feet!
Sarah was much more excited about the bell than about seeing Santa Claus again.
We sang Christmas carols and ate candies with nougat centers as white as snow.
Even Rudolph got to participate during his song!
Family Fun!
Guess The Max is ready for bed!
The conductor cupped his hands around his mouth, "MERRY CHRISTMAS," he shouted. The Polar Express let out a loud blast from its whistle and sped away.
At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe.
