Learn about ‘The Snow Queen’, the story that inspired the Disney film ‘Frozen’

Difficulty: Challenger (Level 2)

You may not have heard of The Snow Queen, but you definitely know one of its remakes, Frozen! The beloved Disney film is an original story loosely based on The Snow Queen. The themes of changing through faith, the abilities of its lead character, and embarking on a journey through the mountains are seen in both stories.

Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote The Snow Queen, also authored Thumbelina, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and The Nightingale. He is often called “the father of the modern fairy tale.” In the last century, Andersen’s work has been translated into over 150 languages and has inspired many plays, films, and ballets.

Story as old as time

The Snow Queen starts with an old legend about the devil disguised as a troll. He makes a magic mirror that distorts the appearance of everything it reflects.

The mirror only shows the ugliest parts of people and things. The troll brings the mirror to heaven, where it shatters into pieces and gets stuck in some people’s hearts and eyes.

The story begins with playmates Kai and Gerda. One day, a piece of the mirror gets stuck in Kai’s heart and eye. It makes Kai think everything is ugly, and he is mean to his grandmother and Gerda. The only thing that appears beautiful to him is tiny snowflakes.

When Kai goes out to play in the snow, he is drawn to the Snow Queen, who leads him away. She kisses him and makes him forget about Gerda and his family.

Holding out hope

Back home, people think Kai has died. However, Gerda believes he is alive. She meets a crow who tells her that the Snow Queen took Kai to Lapland.

She finds Kai stuck in a frozen lake, using pieces of ice to spell the word “eternity.” If he is successful, then the Snow Queen will release him. Gerda kisses him, and Kai begins to cry, which dislodges the splinter from his eye. This makes him cheerful again. The joy helps him spell the word, and they leave Lapland.

Frozen confirms that the Snow Queen was Elsa’s aunt. In both stories, the characters go on a journey for the one they love. Another similarity in the stories is that love conquers all.

Suggested answers

Before you read: My favourite fairy tale is Cinderella. It taught me that I should never give up hope, no matter how tough things may seem (answers may vary).

Stop and think: The mirror, which represents only ugly things, enters Kai’s eye and heart, so he becomes mean to Gerda and his grandmother.

Consider this: Kai cries in response to Gerda’s kiss. The mirror is dislodged from his eye, and he can once again be cheerful.

Find the words in the puzzle below to test your understanding of the vocabulary in this story.