Arctic Express

Author: Chris Van Allsburg (USA); Translated by Wang Dongfeng and Peng Yongui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: About the Achievements and Praise for the Book:
● Over 2 million copies sold in the United States
● Caldecott Medal Winner in 1986 (The Caldecott Medal Winner 1986)
● Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Best Book
● American Library Association Notable Children's Books (ALA)
● New York Times Best Illustrated Book
● 100 Best Children's Books Recommended by the National Education Association (NEA)
● Teachers' Top 100 Books Recommended by the National Education Association (NEA)
● Kids' Top 100 Books Recommended by the National Education Association (NEA)
● Selected by the New York Public Library as one of the 100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know
● Adapted into a feature film in 2004 by Warner Bros.
This is a classic picture book that won the Caldecott Medal in 1986. However, it is a great pity that this Chinese is not very ideal. It is obviously clear that the editors do not understand the value of this book. Some people say that Van Allsburg is one of the most talented picture book masters in the United States since Maurice Sendak, the author of Where the Wild Things Are. The American critics once praised this book (American original edition) with such words: "A masterful pastel masterpiece! Brilliant, glowing brushstrokes convey an unprecedented sense of fantasy," "This may be his best work; there is nothing forced cuteness in these illustrations, but rather something I would call 'solemn'," "The entire scene is filled with dramatic highlights; Van Allsburg's Traction Engine is one of the many magical things we are willing to believe."
The Chinese children's literature writer and illustration researcher Peng Yi once praised it poetically: "This time, Van Allsburg has painted this magnificent story with a moving color. He said he used a type of oil pastel he calls 'Carand'Ache,' which is so soft and smooth that coloring is like applying lipstick. 'Carand'Ache' indeed created an extraordinary effect—it enveloped the snowy winter night outside the window, the long train shrouded in steam, the forest where wolves roam, the mountains under the moonlight, and the scattered lights of the Arctic in the misty, mythical atmosphere of winter. Van Allsburg used this beautiful pastel brush that is almost suffocatingly beautiful to take us on a fantasy journey. And this fantasy journey reached its climax at the end—when the scene shows Santa Claus riding his reindeer-drawn sleigh into the sky, it is a heart-stirring moment!"
However, it is a great pity that when reading this Chinese version, one cannot find such a feeling at all. The colors in this version are handled quite poorly. Perhaps because the movie is currently being shown, the editors deliberately transformed it into a movie (animated film) effect, brightening the colors, making it more like a cut from an animated film rather than a pastel picture book. Additionally, the size of the book is also a great disappointment—it has been deliberately made smaller, making it difficult to appreciate the original work's expansive and spectacular effect. The cover and back cover are especially handled in a very petty manner. The worst part is that the text in the book has been deliberately enlarged in scope, with additional layout changes and color treatments, and even Pinyin has been added. The editors may have thought that since it is a book for children, it should be "cute" and "ornate" like this, completely failing to understand the author's good intentions. If one ignores the original form of the book, this Chinese version can barely be considered a readable picture book with illustrations. But if viewed as a classic picture book, it is a very failed import. The series of mistakes made by the editors in handling it can serve as a warning example for future picture book importers. After all, it is not easy to import such a classic picture book now, and such casual handling truly makes one feel heartbroken! (A Jia)
Psychologists believe that there is a joy of belief in children's hearts. The psychological world of children is stronger than reality. Children find happiness in beautiful fairy tales. Tom Hanks, the main actor in the movie The Polar Express, said: "If there is no Santa Claus, then everything around him is false. If he really exists, then the world becomes full of magic. I want to make a movie that truly belongs to the children, telling them that believing in miracles is also telling us to keep our innocence."
This book features beautiful illustrations, concise text, and corresponding Pinyin, allowing children to learn while enjoying the stunning visuals—truly a win-win situation. Many years ago, I lay motionless in bed, breathing silently, waiting for a sound—the bell of Santa Claus's sleigh. That night, I really heard it. But it wasn't the bell—it was the sound of steam hissing and metal creaking from outside. I looked out the window and saw a train parked in front of my house. The conductor stood at the door of the carriage, looking up at my window. I ran to him. He asked me, "Do you want to come too?" "Where?" I asked. "Of course, to the North Pole," he replied. "This is the Polar Express." He pulled me onto the train, where there were only children in pajamas. Our train passed through dark and cold forests, through wilds where wolves roamed, and climbed over many mountains. Far in the distance, a light appeared. The conductor said, "There, that's the North Pole."
The North Pole is a city built at the top of the world, filled with factories that make Christmas toys. We got off the train. The city center was crowded with dwarfs, and a Santa Claus walked toward us. He pointed at me and said, "Let this little guy come up." Then he jumped onto the sleigh. The conductor picked me up and put me on. Santa Claus asked me, "Tell me, what do you want for Christmas?" I knew I could ask for anything, but what I wanted most was not in his big bag. I told Santa Claus that I only wanted one of the silver bells from his sleigh. He laughed and had the dwarfs take a silver bell from the reindeer. He held it high above his head and shouted, "Christmas gift number one!"
The midnight bell rang. Santa Claus handed me the bell and put it in my pajama pocket. The conductor picked me up from the sleigh. Santa Claus called the names of the reindeer, then gave a whip, and his sleigh team climbed into the sky, disappearing into the dark and cold North Pole sky.
Back on the Polar Express, I reached into my pocket but found only a hole. I had lost the silver bell from Santa Claus's sleigh! When the train arrived at my house, I got off sadly. The conductor cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted to me, "Merry Christmas!"
Early the next morning, my sister Sarah and I opened our gifts. I found a small box behind the Christmas tree, containing the silver bell! There was also a note: "I found this silver bell on the sleigh seat. Remember to patch the hole in your pocket." Signed, "Santa Claus."
I shook the bell, and it made the most wonderful sound that my sister and I had never heard before, but my parents couldn't hear it. For a while, my friends could hear the bell ring. But as time passed, the bell no longer rang for them, not even Sarah, who said on one Christmas that she couldn't hear the sweet sound of the bell anymore. Although I am old now, the bell still rings for me, just as it rings for all those who truly believe in it.