12 Days of Christmas Picture Books - The Polar Express

In the spirit of the season (and in an effort to revive my blogging mojo), I'm proud to bring you Twelve Days of Christmas, Picture Book Version. Nothing's more fun than experiencing Christmas through the eyes of a child, really. This year, with Sprout a lot more aware of what this holiday is all about, we're digging into the Christmas books in a big way. I'm thrilled to finally be sharing some of my favorites with him, and discovering some new holiday gems as well.

Tonight was a momentous night in our household -- our first-ever family reading of The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. Folks, there's a reason this makes all the lists of perennial Christmas favorites. It's got a little something for everyone: nighttime adventures, snow, a mysteriously magical train ride to the North Pole, hot cocoa (that tastes like melted chocolate bars, no less!), and of course Santa Claus.

Sprout was thrilled by the train, less so once the reindeer entered the picture, but we stuck with it. And by the time we turned that last page, I think we were all expecting to hear sleigh bells.

For the first gift of Christmas, The Polar Express is just right.