Starred Review Joyce turns his considerable talents to Christmas, and the results are particularly merry. The story begins in Abilene, Texas, where Art Atchinson Aimesworth lives with his aunt and uncle, who run a Wild West show. Art has a weakness for sweets and is often mean to his sister, Esther. One day, a mysterious box appears from Santa Claus. Inside is a flying machine and the message, Come North. So Art, his best friend, Spaulding Littlefeets, and Esther head to the icy unknown. Along the way, their eyes delight in the sights of Toyland, and they must fight off the Queen of the Dark and her nasty, candy-craving elves, who have only one word in their language: gimmee. When the Queen steals Esther, it is Art, realizing what his sister means to him, who rescues her. Even as the drama ends, no reason for their being summoned north is given. In answer to Art's queries, Santa will only say, Some mysteries are best left unsolved. But although it remains unsolved for Art, readers get their answer in the form of two letters--one from Esther asking Santa to make her brother her friend; the other, Santa's postvisit reply, Such a rare and wonderful request could not be refused. I'm glad our little adventure did the trick. The whole book has a 1930s feel, from the stylized art to the very nature of the adventure, with its overtones of Saturday movie serials. Artistically, Joyce is at his most extravagant here, and although the colors seem to lack the intensity one craves in an escapade of this magnitude, the spreads are filled with every wondrous thing--lights, toys, candy, action. In picture books with art as delicious as this, the story often suffers. Not true here. This tale is robust, with twists and turns, and when readers find the letters at the end (cleverly, Joyce provides foldout letters for kids to open), they will find a measure of the Christmas spirit as well. (Reviewed Aug. 1993)

A mysterious box from "S.C." holds a machine that flies Art Aimesworth, his Comanche pal, and his little sister Esther to the North Pole, where Santa sends Art on a mission to rescue Esther when she is kidnapped by the Dark Elves. The book, save Esther's surprise twist at the end, is vintage fifties boys' adventure, while the gallant art, some of it new for this edition, has Victorian echoes.

Joyce's version of a ride on the Polar Express is more style than substance. Just before Christmas, 1908, dashing boy-inventor Art Atchinson Ainsworth; his best friend, Comanche brave Spaulding Littlefeets; and his scorned little sister Esther receive an invitation (complete with futuristic flying machine) to visit Santa. Their visit is climaxed by Esther's dramatic rescue from the Dark Elves and their evil Queen. But why did you call for us?'' Art wants to know. Santa answers,Some secrets are best left unsolved.'' Art never finds out, but readers do, in two appended letters from Esther (Dear Santa...what I really wish for is for my brother Art to be my friend'') and Santa (I'm glad our little adventure did the trick''). Readers may be disappointed to find so unsurprising a gift in such glorious wrapping, but the huge illustrations, rendered with Joyce's usual cinematic, art-deco sensibility, burst with exuberant crowds and visual fanfares, melodramatic poses and clever jokes. Figures have the gloss and solidity of polished wooden models: Art looks like Will Rogers, and Santa like a benevolent tycoon, while the skies over Ozlike Toyland are filled with searchlights and fanciful balloons. Read quickly; linger over the art. (Picture book. 7+)"