The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

I really enjoyed this book because I found it be a very original Christmas story that is unlike any I have ever read before. The story is about a boy who boards The Polar Express train bound for the North Pole on a Christmas Eve night. The illustrations are extremely lush and vivid, and are a joy to look at. They work perfectly to convey the atmosphere of a snowy Christmas Eve night. I really liked how the boy's friend insists "there is no Santa", but the boy believes his friend is wrong. I also enjoyed how the children go to the North Pole and actually meet Santa and his elves. Interestingly, the boy receives the "first gift of Christmas" from Santa himself, yet he loses it short afterward. I found the ending to be a perfect and uplifting message of the power of believing in something. This is an extremely enjoyable book that is also perfect to read during the holiday season.