I heard several parents saying what a bummer it was and all of us were amazed at it's popularity. Find more movies that help kids build character. Age Range: 5 - 8 Years: About the Author. What/Where is it? Who is the hobo and why is he there? We figured we'd let them both enjoy it. Do you think a 4 year old is a good age for Polar Express? . Visit his website at www.chrisvanallsburg.com. It is a good book for little kids. I know the 11 month old is obviously too little to know what's up, but do you think the 4 year old would enjoy the Polar Express? He suddenly hears the sounds, not of Santa's sleigh, but a train stopping in front of his house. As a result, my husband and I thought it might be fun to take our kids (almost 4 and 11 months) up for 3 nights this winter to celebrate our anniversary (yes, with the kids...no one will take 'em. But it's also an adventure, with lots of roller-coaster thrills and some scary characters that might be too intense and frightening for the youngest kids. We had her so excited to go to the North Pole. We got a good deal on a condo at the Seasons, which will allow us to have our own bedroom and to have some meals there. I know the 11 month old is obviously too little to know what's up, but do you think the 4 year old would enjoy the Polar Express? One Christmas Eve, a boy is laying quietly in his bed, listening for the ringing bells of Santa's sleigh, despite that a friend told him that Santa does not exist. The star rating reflects overall quality. Why can't some people hear the bell? We did it when our kids were that age and it was fantastic. On Christmas morning, the boy finds the bell under the tree. Thanks. We watch it year round because he loves trains so much. Its lush drawings of the winter world seen through the eyes of a child complement the quietly elegant story of a boy who … And it has Josh Groban in it! We are staying way up north near (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You got it!! Period. Our ratings are based on child development best practices. I decided to save it for bedtime reading last night and this book is just as wonderful toady as it was when I first read it to my son when he was 4 years old which was the same year the movie came out too. DS has been watching it since he was 2 or 3 and LOVES it. Or decorated a few pine trees. He loved it-he's obsessed with trains, so that works pretty well. No photo ops. . The book is now widely considered to be a classic Christmas story for young children. Perfect complement to the movie. The roller coaster drama was a bit scary, the conductor seemed a bit mean, the hobo was scary. Perfect complement to the movie. When Books Make You Cry While clearing out a room this weekend I came across The Polar Express Book and boy did it just bring memories rushing back and the tears flowed but in a good way. Adults are portrayed as wise, caring, and intelligent. The animators have done their best to preserve the look of Chris Van Allsburg's lovely illustrations. Includes an author’s note. Alternate parking at Diana’s Bath/Cathedral Ledge? No better memory maker than a good story read by PopPop. The result is attractive, if coarser and less graceful. Chris Van Allsburg is the winner of two Caldecott Medals, for Jumanji and The Polar Express, and is the recipient of a Caldecott Honor for The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. They can talk about the difference between that which can be proven and that which must be believed without proof. I know the 11 month old is obviously too little to know what's up, but do you think the 4 year old would enjoy the Polar Express? Haven't really checked any of the local lodging to see who may have packages. There's a lottery for tickets -- get everyone you know to enter... and then look on Craigslist for tickets too. No better memory maker than a good story read by PopPop. This has been a popular event for some years and if it needs tweaking they should hear from you. Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish. does anyone remember a restaurant called Cafe Mews, Red Jacket Mountain View Resort & Water Park. Thanks! This event sells out year after year. No reindeer (not even fake ones!!) ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-29248576', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Santa's Village. Unfortunately, we decided not to do the Polar Express this year. I have to hide the DVD all year long until Christmas. Start by selecting which of these best describes you! My 4 year old loves the movie. more. The bell is lost. We are still coming up to the mountains though. Families can also talk about each of the lessons punched into the tickets given to the children. We really wanted something fun for our kids and decided to go and have a good time regardless of those "negative" reviews! For millions of readers worldwide, this mysterious journey to the North Pole has become a beloved classic. Only stereotype is the "smart" kid, who is smug and annoying, but does change over the course of the film. He lives on the North Shore of Boston. Parents: Set preferences and get age-appropriate recommendations with Common Sense Media Plus. We are hoping to rent a 2 bedroom condo at the Seasons, thinking this would give us a bit more room to spread out and the convenience of having a kitchen. It would be interesting to learn of any response you may get. Age Range: 5 - 8 Years: About the Author. So, while I would never challenge someone who says their experience was negative, it certainly seems to be a minority view. 1986 Caldecott Medal WinnerA young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical trip to the North Pole . These activies together cost less than just the Polar Express would've run us, and we're so excited! Think that is is white. The Polar Express is a children's book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg and published by Houghton Mifflin in 1985.