The Polar Express is a Christmas classic, where a train appears in front of a boy's house one Christmas Eve. This train, "The Polar Express," takes him on a magical journey to the North Pole, where our protagonist is picked to receive the first gift of Christmas. Many love the cozy storytelling and Van Allsburg's soft illustrations that create a sense of wonder when thinking about the Christmas season. If you want a cute Christmas book with the same cozy vibes, check out these Read Alikes!
By Sibylle Delacroix
Edinburgh: Florian Books, 2024. Picture Book.
Lucy and Noah have been at the window all day, just hoping for snow. But when none comes, Lucy's parents let her open one present to help her overcome her disappointment. She unwraps a snow globe with a little house inside that looks like hers. Soon, she feels something on her cheek... snow? Inside? Lucy and Noah's indoor snow day celebrates the wonder of children's imaginations. With a soft art style similar to The Polar Express and a fantastical story ending combined with a real-world happy ending, The Christmas Snow Globe is a fun companion to Van Allsburg's story.
Written by Julia Donaldson
Illustrated by Victoria Sandoy
New York: Scholastic Press, 2022. Picture Book.
Every year since 1947, the mayor of Oslo has gifted the United Kingdom a tree to thank Britain for helping Norway in World War II. In The Christmas Pine, the tree tells its first-person account of growing up from seedling to sapling to tree in Norway and how it travels to England. The delicate illustrations show the magic and joy of the season similar to The Polar Express.
Illustrated by Richard Jones
Sommerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2022. Picture Book.
When an arctic fox wanders into Santa's house, they become fast friends. Santa feeds the little fox and they nap together, but soon Santa has to get to work: making presents, reading letters, and checking lists. Those who enjoyed seeing the preparation of Santa and his elves in The Polar Express will love this story showing what Santa does the rest of the year.
Illustrated by Reggie Brown
New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2021. Picture Book.
How does Santa visit kids who live in the city? There isn't a chimney for him to squeeze through, and no parking spaces could fit his sleigh and eight reindeer. These are the questions young Deja's friends pester her with, trying to stop her belief. When Deja's mom finds her crying in her room, they think together about all of the magical ways Santa can get to every child. Those who were touched by The Polar Express' ending page about belief, will enjoy Deja restoring her faith in Christmas magic.
Illustrated by Hoang Giang
Wilton, CT: Tiger Tales, 2021. Picture Book.
A polar bear rushing to work rouses Benji from sadly window shopping on Christmas Eve. Benji was sure that Christmas wasn't going to be happy this year since his family cannot afford a tree or presents, but this polar bear takes him to a magical store where he can conjure up gifts using his imagination. Singing a song and telling a story in payment, Benji takes his gifts home. However, when Christmas morning approaches and his gifts aren't as perfect as he thought, it will take good cheer from his family to assure him that his gifts are wonderful. How Benji's family delights in his simple gifts are reminiscent of how the bell from Santa's sleight brought so much joy in The Polar Express.
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