The Polar Express

 

 

 

I originally purchased the book for Nicole and Vincent 

sometimes after 1986.  As an artist, I absolutely loved 

the illustrations in the book.  To know that this book

had the distinction of the 1986 Caldecott Medal winner for

a children's book in 1985 just added to the magic.  

I can recall reading the book to Nicole and Vince ALL through
the year, not just as Christmas time.

In 1989 or 90 Vincent was in 1st grade.  They were learning

'whole language'.  Spelling did not matter.  The children

were not limited to using only the words they could spell.

They could spell out the words as it sounded to them.
Vince came home with his Christmas list.

 

"All I wont for Christmas is a slay bell" 

 

 The Polar Express movie premiered on November 10, 2004.             

  December of 2004, Vinny had come home to Ohio on leave from
the Air Force.  Kerri was living in NE Ohio. 

ALL 4 kids.... Kerri, Nicole, Vinny & Kevin and myself 

went to see The Polar Express.
We were all settled in our seats.  I was on the left end and
Vinny was on the right, with the other kids in between.

The pre movie things were showing and as soon as 

the movie started, I leaned forward and Vinny did the 

same to look down towards me.  WE SMILED HUGE at 

each other.   This will always and forever be

one of my most *cherished memories* seeing that 

movie with all of the kids.

 

 

 

The Polar Express

Written and illustrated by

Chris Van Allsburg 1985 

 

Van Allsburg was awarded The Caldecott Medal in 1986

 

Each year the Newbery Medal is awarded by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children's books published the previous year. However, as many persons became concerned that the artists creating picture books for children were as deserving of honor and encouragement as were the authors of children's books, Frederic G. Melcher suggested in 1937 the establishment of a second annual medal. This medal is to be given to the artist who had created the most distinguished picture book of the year and named in honor of the nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph J. Caldecott. The idea for this medal was also accepted enthusiastically by the Section for Library Work with Children of ALA and was approved by the ALA Executive Board.

The Caldecott Medal "shall be awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American Picture Book for Children published in the United States during the preceding year. The award shall go to the artist, who must be a citizen or resident of the United States, whether or not he be the author of the text.