Four decades have passed since young readers first climbed on the North Pole-bound Polar Express along with Santa and the narrator of Chris Van Allsburg’s Christmas classic. With 14 million copies of The Polar Express sold worldwide, its message has encouraged multiple generations of readers to listen for—and presumably hear—the tinkling of that magical bell. In September, Clarion released two new editions of Van Allsburg’s story in celebration of its milestone: The Polar Express: Fortieth Anniversary Edition and The Polar Express: Christmas Countdown Deluxe Gift Set.

The author-illustrator explained that his 1986 Caldecott-winning book was inspired by a vision. “As in some of my other books, the story grew out of a series of questions, which were suggested by a kind of vision that appeared during a daydream-like reverie,” he told PW. “What I saw in my mind’s eye was a steam engine with three passenger cars, standing still in a snow-covered forest at night. ‘Who is it waiting for?’ and ‘Where is it going?’ were among the questions I asked myself—questions whose answers ultimately led me to the North Pole.”

’Tis the Season…

In its two new versions of The Polar Express, Clarion pays homage to the original edition with newly reproduced art. Editorial director Bethany Vinhateiro, who has been Van Allsburg’s editor since 2023, noted that the timing of this change was propitious. “Like any beloved and oft-reprinted book, shifts in color and contrast in the reproductions happen gradually over time,” she said. “It was Chris’s wish, and ours, to get closer to the luminosity of his original paintings, and the 40th anniversary seemed like the perfect time to release a newly reproofed edition.”

Also available this season is The Polar Express: Christmas Countdown Deluxe Gift Set, which includes 24 decorative press-out ornaments with activity prompts for each day in December up to Christmas; a Christmas countdown calendar with slots for ornaments; and an easy-to-construct 3D tabletop tree with notches for hanging the ornaments. “The Polar Express is one of our most important backlist titles at Harper, and the major effort to create this complex boxed set required collaboration from all departments,” Vinhateiro said. Among “the key people whose tireless experimentation, iteration, and attention made this gift set possible,” she added, are Clarion senior editor Chris Ayala-Kronos, HarperCollins art director Chelsea Donaldson, associate creative director Rick Farley, director of production Trish McGinley, production editor Heather Tamarkin, managing editor Mary Magrisso, and director of backlist marketing Lisa DiSarro.

To promote the anniversary titles, HarperCollins has underway an online consumer advertising campaign, social media messaging and advertising, influencer outreach, and inclusion in HarperKids Holiday Season’s Readings campaign and other group holiday promotions. The publisher also created a Polar Express event kit for retailers.

When asked what she thinks is at the heart of the story’s popularity and longevity, Vinhateiro said, “I am not overstating it when I say that The Polar Express is more than a book. It’s an indelible part of so many families’ holiday traditions. The ubiquity of the book, the film, Polar Express train rides, and themed reading events are part of the fabric of Christmas. But more than anything, in a season that inspires and requires magic, it makes believers of us all.”

Having received 40 years’ worth of comments from readers young and old, Van Allsburg weighed in: “I think the book’s melancholy mood and retrospection resonates with adults. This quality grows out of the story’s ending, of course, and is reinforced by what is, for a Christmas story, a rather somber palette. Children are responding to a story that is told by someone who has actually been to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus and has the sleigh bell to prove it. Maybe some snowy Christmas Eve the train will stop for them.”

The Polar Express: Fortieth Anniversary Edition. Clarion, $21.99 Sept. 16 ISBN 978-0-544-58014-5

The Polar Express: Christmas Countdown Deluxe Gift Set. Clarion, $34.99 Sept. 16 ISBN 978-0-06-338018-9