read by Liam Neeson

Houghton Mifflin, October 2000

From Amazon.com

Fifteen years and one Caldecott Medal after its publication, Chris Van Allsburg's The Polar Express is as fresh and magical as ever. And now an anniversary edition, including the hardcover book, a CD and audiotape featuring a reading by actor Liam Neeson and music by composer Michael Moss, and a special bronze ornament designed by Van Allsburg, renews the wonder and charm of this holiday classic.

From AudioFile

This production of the Caldecott winner enchants from the first notes of the magically mysterious music that introduces and supports the story of a boy's trip to meet Santa Claus. Narrator Liam Neeson's warm, deep voice encourages listeners young and old to dream along with the lucky boy aboard the Polar Express. Neeson's pacing is also exquisite--just slow enough for children reading along with the accompanying book, yet never too slow. The packaging of this production deserves special mention--a large-format hardcover book, easy-to-play tape, and Polar Express medal all wrapped up in a color slipcase. This is the perfect present for the child on your list. A.C.S. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine.

From School Library Journal

Chris Van Allsburg's Caldecott-winning Christmas classic is 15 years old, but it is a timeless story that just keeps getting better. Actor Liam Neeson's authoritative, unhurried narration brings the story to life. Peaceful, unobtrusive orchestrations punctuate the text like falling snow. As the Polar Express pulls into town one Christmas Eve, offering a magical, unforgettable trip to the North Pole, a young boy boards the train. When Santa offers him the first gift of the season, the boy chooses one bell from the harness of a reindeer. On the return trip, the bell is lost, and Christmas for the boy seems to be ruined, until the bell reappears under the Christmas tree, with a mystery of its own, solved only by a belief in the spirit of Christmas. This release won't sit on the shelf long. Parents, teachers, and librarians everywhere will be grateful to have someone else read this tear-jerker in their stead. This well-written, impeccably presented package deserves all the attention it will get.-Kirsten Martindale, Buford Academy, GA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.