The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (Picture Book)

Caldecott Award

Exposition: A little boy is waiting for Santa Claus to come when he hears something outside. 
Conflict: The conflict in this book is about whether people believe in Christmas and Santa Claus.
Rising Action: The little boy finds a train outside going to the North Pole so he decides to go along for the ride.  Upon arriving at the North Pole he is selected to receive the first Christmas gift.  The boy chooses a silver bell but soon realizes when he gets home that the bell fell out of his pocket and he loses it. 
Climax: When he wakes up for Christmas the next morning he has an extra gift under the tree which is the silver bell. 
Falling Action: Santa found it on the train and brought it to him.
Resolution: The little boy continues to hear the silver bell ring because he believes in Christmas and Santa Claus.
Illustrations: This book has beautiful pictures that describe the story.  The pictures have a smokey touch to them.  The shading of light and darkness is excellent.

Allsburg, C., & Egolf, R. L. (1985). The Polar Express . Boston: Houghton Mifflin.