The Great Ice Engine

Disney Frozen: Anna & Elsa #4

by Erica David, Francesco Legramandi (Illustrator), Gabriella Matta (Illustrator)

Princess Anna, Queen Elsa, Olaf the snowman, and all the stars from Disney Frozen are back in an all-new magical chapter book series perfect for girls and boys ages 6 to 9. Anna has an adventurous spirit. Elsa has magical power over ice and snow. Together the sisters explore the mountains, palace, fjords, and beyond as they finally get to know each other as sisters--and friends.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Chapter Books, Fairy Tales, Juvenile

128 pages, Hardcover

First published May 12, 2015

Reviews

[Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

12 stars!!! I liked it because Anna and Elsa are in it!

[Mat & Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manly man Kristoff faces off against innovative Oaken’s ice machine to see if man or machine can produce more ice blocks. There’s a mouse involved. Meh.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy Disney, even though there have been a lot of poor reviews in the media here recently. Disney is always full of hope and inspiration, no matter what the circumstances might be. Gender, disabilities, and anything else that might be used to "classify" someone in today's world hold no merit with typical Disney.

"The Great Ice Engine" is a cute children's novel that holds scientific inventions and a race towards a finish line, with a little mystery thrown in for good measure, this story holds the attention of just not the children for whom it was meant but also for the parents reading it to them.

I am sure that many individuals remember Oaken from the Frozen movie, the "Ohh-Hoo" that was stated every time someone new walked into the store has made him well known. This story is about an ice machine that he has come up with that enabled him to cut ice faster than anyone else. Will he win the contest? And where does the mystery come into play?

[Marinda (rindasreads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd give this a 2.5. I wasn't expecting much, but my five-year-old daughter wasn't disappointed. She kept up with the storyline fairly well, but it didn't capture her interest as much as other books we've read. It was a gift from Grandma and -hello!- Frozen, so it was at the top of her "Mom-needs-to-read-this-to-me" reading list.

I was impressed by how much "science" was a part of the story. Looking back it seems a big forced (STEM girls! You must be an engineer! Invent all the things!). I don't think this is a bad thing, I just hope that in all of the math and science pushing we don't lose sight of the importance of art and being passionate about whatever it is you decide you want to be.

Anyway, definitely won't pick it up again, but my daughter might when she's at a higher reading level. Despite my lack of enthusiasm for this book, I must say that time spent reading with your child is NEVER a waste, and I'm happy to let her pick some of the books we read.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle

Nice book that puts a Frozen twist on the traditional John Henry story. As with the other books in the series, I enjoyed the writing and set up of the book. The pictures were also fun and interesting. They went well with the text.

While the ending tied up all of the loose ends nicely, I thought the final solution was a bit contrived. It didn't necessarily seem like the best solution, but then again, that's just my adult brain overthinking things.

What I really like about these books is that they focus on a princess and a queen, but aren't full of stereotypical princess/queen things. This one involves an obstacle course, a competition, a mysterious disappearance, and some nifty inventing. While I can appreciate stories with feminine values, it's also nice to see some diversity of interests in female-centric books. I also like how Ana and Else team up to solve problems and create solutions.

[katinameow · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars from my 5 year old. She thinks this book is hilarious. Throughout the book, Kristof had odd requests that my daughter compiled into a list that makes her laugh hysterically. Kristof wanted a cold hug, a nap, cold chocolate, and a meat pie. Not in one chapter or on one page, but peppered throughout he’s respond to an offer for a warm hug with wanting a cold hug, etc. Apparently, this is comic gold to a preschooler.
As a fun aside, after the meat pie line, we went to a Cornish Pasty restaurant and had “meat pies” for lunch.

[Leah Holliday · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter and I have read several of the Frozen chapter books and I felt this one was a slog to get through. But my six year old didn’t seem to mind, so ya know, we do what we must to foster a love of reading.

Also, these books take years off my life, so I’m absolutely counting them towards my reading challenge.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't quite as interesting as the first three in the series, but still a fun idea for kids to grapple with. How do you deal with new inventions that start to eliminate other jobs? This was more fun and whimsical, but I still liked it.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man, we fly through one of these in a week! Berry loves that we’re reading about Anna and Elsa, even when the story is pretty thin.

[Petr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ten stroj byl dosti nesmyslný, lepší mu tolik popisu nevěnovat.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated by my 5 year old daughter who liked that it is an Elsa and Anna story she has not seen as a film or short.

[Serena Craft]

A cute book, my children and I enjoyed reading this together.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great series for kids featuring the beloved characters from Frozen.

[Lee Shain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually liked this one. It really surprised me

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

charming story - a new ice engine machine invented by Oaken, a machine versus ice Cutter competition, a mystery where Anna, Elsa and Olaf have an overnight trip to solve it

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anna and Elsa are enjoying getting to know each other better as Elsa rules her frozen kingdom with a firm but compassionate hand. When Oaken shares an invention designed to harvest ice efficiently, Kristoff decides to compete with it to show off his own physical prowess. But as John Henry might be able to tell him, machines can be tough to beat. After the ice harvesters head off to cut more ice, they seem to have disappeared. It's up to Anna, Elsa, and Olaf to find them. Fans of the Disney film will devour this one since it continues the story told in Frozen.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

When Oaken invents a complicated ice-cutting machine, he challenges the human ice harvesters to an ice cutting contest. His machine wins against Kristoff, but is too complicated for everyday use. When help from Anna & Elsa, Kristoff simplifies his machine. The ice cutters are interested, but do not feel threatened by the new technology.
Die-hard Frozen fans will be happy to read more about their favorite princesses, but this story does not feature the magic of the original. Still, it is #4 in the Anna & Elsa Aventures and will circulate well.

[Holly Letson · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5*

This has been my least favorite of this series so far. I had to practically force myself to finish it.

The ice machine was interesting enough, but it dragged on and on and on about Anna and Elsa trying to find the "missing" ice harvesters. And, it made such a big deal that the ice was not delivered on one morning.

[Alysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn't as satisfying as the previous 3 because it tied up the main plot line and issue brought up at the beginning, but then after that was done, another mystery was added in that didn't feel necessary or like it added much to the initial story. The ending felt less interesting and gratifying, but it was still a fun simple read for my daughter and I to enjoy together.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was better than the last one but still not as good as the first two. The characters were great and the story line was interesting enough but it was kind if choppy. I love Frozen and think anyone else who enjoyed Frozen would enjoy this book. I can't wait for the next one.

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really cute. I thought that the author did an awesome job at portraying the friendship and family lessons that Walt Disney did in the movie Frozen. I liked how the characters tried to help the ice cutters with the machine.

[Juliana]

Kid loved it!

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute for Frozen fans, but really simplistic and a bit over the top for any other type of reader.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story, but I like more adventure or mystery. This book is more for younger kids than older readers.

[C Abbott · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't finish it, because I didn't like this one.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me & my 7 year old daughter read this together and she loved it! Can't say I'm surprised as she loves all things Frozen. She gives it 5 stars!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hreat series, I highly recommend it! A quick read (for me) and a nice new story for Frozen fans to enjoy.

[Emma J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book
This adventure was not one of my favorites
But I liked it
I would only recommend for girls

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even more fun from the characters of Disney's smash hit Frozen.

[Terka · Rating 4 out of 5]

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