The Polar Express

Based on Chris Van Allsburg's Caldecott award-winning picture book, this enhanced filmstrip-to-video transfer, features a poignant narration by stage and screen actor Mandy Patinkin. A Christmas story with a punch, The Polar Express tells of a little boy's journey to the North Pole on a wondrous train. Upon arrival, the young boy is chosen to receive the first gift from Santa, and he chooses a silver bell from Santa's sleigh. Losing the bell on the ride home, it mysteriously reappears Christmas morning--but only the boy and his sister can hear its ringing. As the years pass, friends and relatives lose the ability to hear the magical bell, but not the boy who has grown old. The story is beautifully conveyed through the soft colors and hazy contrasts between light and dark in Van Allsburg's dreamlike illustrations. Recommended. (Available from: Random House School Division, 400 Hahn Road, Westminster, MD 21157; 1-800-638-6460).