Welcome the Christmas season with the reading of a holiday classic, then create a craft related to the story and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies.

The Mountain Road Branch Library invites families with kids of all ages to attend "All Aboard the Polar Express" on Tuesday. Kids and their parents will enjoy The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg, a Caldecott-winning story.

The book begins on Christmas Eve with a young boy boarding a train bound for the North Pole. Upon his arrival, the boy meets Santa and is told he can have any gift he wants. The boy modestly chooses a bell from a reindeer's harness, but loses it on his way home. The end of the book brings the boy a surprise and the reader a lesson in acceptance.

After the reading, kids can make a craft inspired by the book. To represent the reindeer's bell that is the essence of The Polar Express, the craft will be a felt pocket with an attached jingle bell.

The event starts at 7 p.m., 4730 Mountain Road. Call 410-222-6699.