Bergen County Book Shop Holds 'Polar Express' Story Time Dec. 6

Come and hear the classic story “Polar Express” and receive a silver bell at Shaw’s Book Shop, as they hold a story time on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m., just before the “Home for the Holidays” parade. The theme for this year’s parade is children’s books.

“The Polar Express” is a 1985 children’s book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, a former professor at the Rhode Island School of Design. The book is now widely considered to be a classic Christmas story for young children. It was praised for its detailed illustrations and calm, relaxing storyline. In 1986, it was awarded the Caldecott Medal for children’s literature. Based on a 2007 online poll, the National Education Association named the book one of its “Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children.” It was one of the “Top 100 Picture Books” of all time in a 2012 poll by School Library Journal.

“The Polar Express” is a facinating story about a doubting boy who boards a magical train on Christmas Eve that’s headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus’ home. Shaw’s Book Shop will follow a beautifully illustrated story of this young boy’s quiet night ride with other children on the Polar Express train to the North Pole, a “huge city standing alone at the top of the world, filled with factories where every Christmas toy was made.”

The narrator is the fortunate child, picked by Santa, to receive the first gift of that Christmas. He knows exactly what he wants, a simple gift that will help him continue to believe in the magic of Christmas, a silver bell from a reindeer’s harness. Polar Express is a wonderful book for those who want to believe in the spirit of Christmas every day of every year.

Join this adventure to the North Pole and discover the magic of believing.

Shaw’s Book Shop is located at 79 Westwood Avenue in Westwood.