<Tr> <Th> Preceded by </Th> <Td> The Mysteries of Harris Burdick </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Followed by </Th> <Td> The Stranger </Td> </Tr> <P> The Polar Express is a children's book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg and published by Houghton Mifflin in 1985 . The book is now widely considered to be a classic Christmas story for young children although the point has been challenged . It was praised for its detailed illustrations and calm, relaxing storyline . For the work Van Allsburg won the annual Caldecott Medal for illustration of an American children's picture book in 1986, his second . </P> <P> The book is set partially in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the author's home town, which was inspired by the Herpolsheimer's and Wurzburg's department stores . It was adapted as an Oscar - nominated motion - capture film in 2004 starring Tom Hanks and directed by Robert Zemeckis with Van Allsburg serving as an executive producer on the film . </P>

When did the book polar express come out