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"The Polar Express" children's book turns 40

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Chris Van Allsburg's beloved children's book, "The Polar Express." He tells CBS News' Bradley Blackburn about how he came up with the classic Christmas tale at just 34 years old.

Dec 25, 2025 (04:21)

Glioblastoma survivor says "I'm still here"

Glioblastoma survivor says "I'm still here"

Billy Crystal on love and loss

Billy Crystal on love and loss

"Heated Rivalry" creator on new season

"Heated Rivalry" creator on new season

Joe Manganiello on battling mystery illness

Joe Manganiello on battling mystery illness

The Iran war's impact on fuel prices

The Iran war's impact on fuel prices

Latest on deadly strikes on Saudi airport

Latest on deadly strikes on Saudi airport

Speaker Mike Johnson on midterms

Speaker Mike Johnson on midterms

Extended interview: Billy Crystal

Extended interview: Billy Crystal

Questions after man dies in tiger enclosure

Questions after man dies in tiger enclosure

Pope Leo announces plans for lung surgery

Pope Leo announces plans for lung surgery

Plane aborts landing at LAX, avoids tailstrike

Plane aborts landing at LAX, avoids tailstrike

Storms Isaias, Rachel slam both sides of U.S.

Storms Isaias, Rachel slam both sides of U.S.

Eye Opener: Storms slam Southeast, Southwest

Eye Opener: Storms slam Southeast, Southwest

Johnson on staying on as GOP leader

Johnson on staying on as GOP leader

Trump touts diesel deal with Putin

Trump touts diesel deal with Putin

Extended interview: Mike Johnson

Extended interview: Mike Johnson

Secret Service director on Trump decoy plane

Secret Service director on Trump decoy plane

Pentagon plans to livestream an execution

Pentagon plans to livestream an execution

How to have a healthier morning routine

How to have a healthier morning routine

Exclusive look at train cargo theft crackdown

Exclusive look at train cargo theft crackdown

Protecting your wallet while online shopping

Protecting your wallet while online shopping

Questions over teen's hit-and-run death

Questions over teen's hit-and-run death

Guilfoyle's $100,000 "quid pro quo" scandal

Guilfoyle's $100,000 "quid pro quo" scandal

Man shot by ICE agent in NYC

Man shot by ICE agent in NYC

Hurricane Isaias hurtles toward Gulf Coast

Hurricane Isaias hurtles toward Gulf Coast

Extended interview: Miranda Lambert

Extended interview: Miranda Lambert

Struggling Wisconsin residents get FEMA aid

Struggling Wisconsin residents get FEMA aid

"Eternally Yours" stars on series premiere

"Eternally Yours" stars on series premiere

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Ashley McBryde on Dolly Parton, songwriting

Ashley McBryde on Dolly Parton, songwriting

Ben Affleck on "Animals"

Ben Affleck on "Animals"

Video shows dog rescuing missing boy

Video shows dog rescuing missing boy

Trump approves disaster relief for Wisconsin

Trump approves disaster relief for Wisconsin

History of Russian lab where worker died

History of Russian lab where worker died

Video shows explosion at U.S. base in Kuwait

Video shows explosion at U.S. base in Kuwait

Iowans react to Trump tariffs, Iran war

Iowans react to Trump tariffs, Iran war

Latest on the Cornell investigation

Latest on the Cornell investigation

Christa Pike ordeal sparks pentobarbital fear

Christa Pike ordeal sparks pentobarbital fear

Millions brace for Hurricane Isaias landfall

Millions brace for Hurricane Isaias landfall

CLEAR partners with Veterans Affairs

CLEAR partners with Veterans Affairs

"Cupertino" stars on show's premiere

"Cupertino" stars on show's premiere

Mikey Madison on "The Social Reckoning"

Mikey Madison on "The Social Reckoning"

Stock markets hit record high

Stock markets hit record high

Reflecting on 3 years since Oct. 7, 2023

Reflecting on 3 years since Oct. 7, 2023

Christy Carlson Romano on being a child star

Christy Carlson Romano on being a child star

Flu season gets early start

Flu season gets early start

Deborah Norville on "The Perfect Line"

Deborah Norville on "The Perfect Line"

Medical bill battles hurt patients

Medical bill battles hurt patients

Couple charged in surrogacy scandal

Couple charged in surrogacy scandal

Latest on Christa Pike

Latest on Christa Pike

Cornell accuser facing death threats

Cornell accuser facing death threats

Oprah reveals her latest book club pick

Oprah reveals her latest book club pick

LL Cool J and Scott Caan on "NCIS: New York"

LL Cool J and Scott Caan on "NCIS: New York"

Expert on how to better connect with people

Expert on how to better connect with people

French students, parents protest over schools

French students, parents protest over schools

Trump says Iran can "take out" San Diego, LA

Trump says Iran can "take out" San Diego, LA

What to know about plague lab worker's death

What to know about plague lab worker's death

Tips for talking to your kid about consent

Tips for talking to your kid about consent

Making the most of holiday shopping

Making the most of holiday shopping

Protests break out on Cornell campus

Protests break out on Cornell campus

Harlan Coben on new season of "Final Twist"

Harlan Coben on new season of "Final Twist"

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

More details emerge on FlyDubai ordeal

More details emerge on FlyDubai ordeal

Alito on abortion case, Trump's criticisms

Alito on abortion case, Trump's criticisms

Howie Mandel opens up about OCD's impact

Howie Mandel opens up about OCD's impact

Latest on botched execution in Tennessee

Latest on botched execution in Tennessee

Michael Lewis on DOGE, AI and more

Michael Lewis on DOGE, AI and more

Cornell crime log reveals Chi Phi drug arrest

Cornell crime log reveals Chi Phi drug arrest

Court tosses sentence over AI video statement

Court tosses sentence over AI video statement

Pentagon pulls all bombers from U.K. air base

Pentagon pulls all bombers from U.K. air base

Why Trump is campaigning in red states

Why Trump is campaigning in red states

Extended interview: Alice Cooper

Extended interview: Alice Cooper

Mercor CEO on the evolution of human work

Mercor CEO on the evolution of human work

Cornell student, mom on rape investigation

Cornell student, mom on rape investigation

Anne Hathaway on Colleen Hoover's "Verity"

Anne Hathaway on Colleen Hoover's "Verity"

Questions emerge after botched execution

Questions emerge after botched execution

Rick Devens on his "Big Brother" victory

Rick Devens on his "Big Brother" victory

Homan responds to Renee Good lawsuit

Homan responds to Renee Good lawsuit

Roads submerged as floods sweep Texas

Roads submerged as floods sweep Texas

FlyDubai captain speaks out

FlyDubai captain speaks out

Man trapped under rock uses Siri for help

Man trapped under rock uses Siri for help

Astronaut will miss birth of child

Astronaut will miss birth of child

"East of Eden" creator on new show

"East of Eden" creator on new show

Trump to campaign for Ken Paxton

Trump to campaign for Ken Paxton

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Disturbing details from Cornell victim

Disturbing details from Cornell victim

Tips for men on taking on mental load at home

Tips for men on taking on mental load at home

Historian breaks down Middle East conflict

Historian breaks down Middle East conflict

Dr. Elizabeth Comen on new breast cancer tech

Dr. Elizabeth Comen on new breast cancer tech

Details on botched Tennessee execution

Details on botched Tennessee execution

FlyDubai passenger details what he witnessed

FlyDubai passenger details what he witnessed

Debris flies around Kansas amid severe storms

Debris flies around Kansas amid severe storms

Witness recounts midair cockpit chaos

Witness recounts midair cockpit chaos

Latest details on the FlyDubai midair scare

Latest details on the FlyDubai midair scare

Between Us: Julie Chen Moonves & Phil Keoghan

Between Us: Julie Chen Moonves & Phil Keoghan

Reality hosts on long-lasting shows, careers

Reality hosts on long-lasting shows, careers

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

The Dogist announces cutest rescue dogs

The Dogist announces cutest rescue dogs

Tips for dealing with fall allergies

Tips for dealing with fall allergies

What to know about retatrutide

What to know about retatrutide

Future of AI safety still uncertain

Future of AI safety still uncertain

Teacherless Chicago AI school opens

Teacherless Chicago AI school opens

GOP senator confuses sports teams during Jack Smith testimony

GOP senator confuses sports teams during Jack Smith testimony

Shocking revelation by Cornell rape case DA

Shocking revelation by Cornell rape case DA

Details on pilot fight that led to re-route

Details on pilot fight that led to re-route

Heavy rains drown Southwest, cause major flooding

Heavy rains drown Southwest, cause major flooding

Author John Grisham on "The French Illusion"

Author John Grisham on "The French Illusion"

Can a hormone keep your blood pressure high?

Can a hormone keep your blood pressure high?

Finding meaning in caring for an aging parent

Finding meaning in caring for an aging parent

What to know about Pentagon data breach

What to know about Pentagon data breach

New texts revealed in Cornell rape case

New texts revealed in Cornell rape case

Why OpenAI didn't roll out its latest model

Why OpenAI didn't roll out its latest model

Tips to save as holiday travel costs soar

Tips to save as holiday travel costs soar

Tech leaders to meet with Trump on AI

Tech leaders to meet with Trump on AI

Details on alleged U.K. terror plot

Details on alleged U.K. terror plot

Senate approves sweeping college sports bill

Senate approves sweeping college sports bill

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Latest on the NYT executive killed

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Charles Spencer on new book, Diana's death

Charles Spencer on new book, Diana's death

Fetterman weighs break from Democrats

Fetterman weighs break from Democrats

East Coast begins recovery from nor'easter

East Coast begins recovery from nor'easter

LSU goalie beats cancer, offers others hope

LSU goalie beats cancer, offers others hope

Latest on arrests near U.K. air base

Latest on arrests near U.K. air base

Millions under flood threat after nor'easter

Millions under flood threat after nor'easter

OpenAI hack raises more security concerns

OpenAI hack raises more security concerns

Former Cornell student sues school

Former Cornell student sues school

The CIA in Afghanistan after 9/11

The CIA in Afghanistan after 9/11

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Sylvester Stallone on writing "Rocky"

Sylvester Stallone on writing "Rocky"

Details on Taylor Swift's "Showgirl" encore

Details on Taylor Swift's "Showgirl" encore

"American Idol" alum's ex-mistress testifies

"American Idol" alum's ex-mistress testifies

How Dolly Parton still helps kids with cancer

How Dolly Parton still helps kids with cancer

Pro-Trump "Love Me" ad sparks controversy

Pro-Trump "Love Me" ad sparks controversy

Trump touts "great friendship" with China's Xi

Trump touts "great friendship" with China's Xi

U.S. military plans action in Cuba

U.S. military plans action in Cuba

Hurricane Nolo heads toward Hawaii

Hurricane Nolo heads toward Hawaii

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Police accused of misusing Flock cameras

Police accused of misusing Flock cameras

Helping kids deal with "Big Little Feelings"

Helping kids deal with "Big Little Feelings"

OpenAI agent hacked Australian website

OpenAI agent hacked Australian website

Trump's summit with China's Xi

Trump's summit with China's Xi

Trump's press ban temporarily blocked

Trump's press ban temporarily blocked

Nor'easter looms over East Coast

Nor'easter looms over East Coast

First look at Taylor Swift's "Patient Zero"

First look at Taylor Swift's "Patient Zero"

What a full body scan told me about my health

What a full body scan told me about my health

"Lioness" star Michael Kelly on season finale

"Lioness" star Michael Kelly on season finale

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Zibby Owens on living "between chapters"

Zibby Owens on living "between chapters"

Tips for taking care of your life insurance

Tips for taking care of your life insurance

Wife of American in China hopes for release

Wife of American in China hopes for release

Diesel prices hit all-time high

Diesel prices hit all-time high

Dolly Parton's estate in feud with her nephew

Dolly Parton's estate in feud with her nephew

What to know about atrial fibrillation

What to know about atrial fibrillation

Breaking down cost of Trump's Afrikaner plan

Breaking down cost of Trump's Afrikaner plan

Latest on Ole Miss student deaths

Latest on Ole Miss student deaths

GOP senators push for Trump Jr. investigation

GOP senators push for Trump Jr. investigation

Key takeaways from Trump's day at the U.N.

Key takeaways from Trump's day at the U.N.

Judge Judy reflects on 30-year career

Judge Judy reflects on 30-year career

Grandmaster Flash talks new book on hip-hop

Grandmaster Flash talks new book on hip-hop

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

The dark side of online betting

The dark side of online betting

What to expect from Trump's U.N. speech

What to expect from Trump's U.N. speech

Latest on the Austin ICE shooting

Latest on the Austin ICE shooting

Northeast flight schedules return to normal

Northeast flight schedules return to normal

Latest on Nolan Wells' investigation

Latest on Nolan Wells' investigation

Dana Bash talks Trump press ban, new book

Dana Bash talks Trump press ban, new book

Clancy's lawyer questions holdout juror

Clancy's lawyer questions holdout juror

Details emerge on Presley Gerber's death

Details emerge on Presley Gerber's death

Key facts on Paramount Skydance settlement

Key facts on Paramount Skydance settlement

JB Pritzker on GLP-1 weight loss journey

JB Pritzker on GLP-1 weight loss journey

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Bill Gates on new AI coalition, tech safety

Bill Gates on new AI coalition, tech safety

"Survivor" host Jeff Probst on 51st season

"Survivor" host Jeff Probst on 51st season

Ed Sheeran does first concert since backlash

Ed Sheeran does first concert since backlash

News outlets to sue White House over ban

News outlets to sue White House over ban

Criminologists on Patrick Clancy interview

Criminologists on Patrick Clancy interview

Princess Diana's brother reveals more details

Princess Diana's brother reveals more details

Rancher says data centers threaten livelihood

Rancher says data centers threaten livelihood

Ross Douthat on Patrick Clancy interview

Ross Douthat on Patrick Clancy interview

Trump announces Greenland security deal

Trump announces Greenland security deal

Inside a U.S. aircraft carrier amid Iran war

Inside a U.S. aircraft carrier amid Iran war

NYPD prepares for U.N. General Assembly

NYPD prepares for U.N. General Assembly

Trump bans CNN, MS NOW, Politico

Trump bans CNN, MS NOW, Politico

Porsha Williams speaks out on health battle

Porsha Williams speaks out on health battle

Doctor debunks anti-vaccine claims

Doctor debunks anti-vaccine claims

Florida parents sue clinic after IVF mix-up

Florida parents sue clinic after IVF mix-up

Conjoined twins separated in risky surgery

Conjoined twins separated in risky surgery

F-16 pilot's narrow escape before fiery crash

F-16 pilot's narrow escape before fiery crash

Kennedy Center legal drama continues

Kennedy Center legal drama continues

Dr. Rachel Danis on husband Patrick Clancy

Dr. Rachel Danis on husband Patrick Clancy

2 key types of exercise for longevity

2 key types of exercise for longevity

Jacob Tremblay on starring in "Unabomber"

Jacob Tremblay on starring in "Unabomber"

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals

Tips for packing healthy school lunches

Tips for packing healthy school lunches

Macklemore, Robert Kraft release dueling statements

Macklemore, Robert Kraft release dueling statements

AI's impact on warfare and weapons

AI's impact on warfare and weapons

Details on Philadelphia house of horrors

Details on Philadelphia house of horrors

How an interest rate hike impacts you

How an interest rate hike impacts you

Flash floods slam southwest U.S.

Flash floods slam southwest U.S.

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