Welcome to Litsy!

Every year at Christmastime, the Library becomes home to this beloved village and train setup, not just for our Polar Express Night (we read the story and eat treats and drink cocoa and Santa comes!), but for the whole season. It‘s become a tradition to which all of our patrons, young and old, look forward. 💖 #thepolarexpress #christmastraditions #librarylife

#haikuhive

I gifted this book to every child in my life when they reached “that age.“ I still read it every year and am still stunned by it, especially the illustrations. ♥️🚊💚

The crowd hushes as the
“first gift of Christmas“ rings true.
Does it still ring for you?

Abridged Christmas Classics

#DashingThruDecember Day 4: Still our family‘s fave #HolidayFilm of all time. Fats‘ review of Van Allsburg‘s classic picturebook here: https://wp.me/pDlzr-aMS

“We climbed mountains so high it seemed as if we would scrape the moon“.

“We climbed mountains so high it seemed as if we would scrape the moon.“

This story can spark lessons on imagination, belief, and traditions. Its detailed illustrations support discussions in literacy and art, while the themes of wonder and faith encourage students to share personal traditions, making it ideal for holiday classroom connections.

You can use The Polar Express in the classroom to teach visualization, setting, and mood. Students can analyze how the illustrations create a magical atmosphere, then write or draw their own “journey” stories. It‘s also great for lessons on sensory details, holiday traditions, and making text-to-self or text-to-world connections.

The Polar Express (1985) is a timeless holiday classic, blending magical storytelling with Van Allsburg‘s rich, atmospheric illustrations. It captures the wonder of Christmas, belief, and imagination, making it a cherished read for generations.
Genre: Caldecott medal winner, picture book

genre- picture book, caldecott
publication year- 1986

The illustrations in The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg are rich, atmospheric, and magical. His realistic style and muted colors create a dreamlike mood, perfectly capturing the wonder of Christmas Eve. Light, shadow, and detail draw readers into the snowy journey, making the visuals as enchanting as the story itself.