Elsa's Icy Rescue

Disney Princess Beginnings / Disney Before the Story

by Kate Egan, Mario Cortès (Illustrator)

Before Elsa was queen . . . she was a girl with magic! Elsa cannot wait to spend time at her family's summer home and test her icy powers. But after a series of magical mishaps, Elsa begins to wonder if she has what it takes to one day become queen of Arendelle, or if her powers might be a curse after all. . . .

Genres: Chapter Books, Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy, Princesses

68 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 3, 2020

Reviews

[Jessica Di Salvio · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

It was cute but I prefered Anna’s story

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Elsa ja lapsuuden seikkailu kertoo nimensä mukaisesti Arendelin Elsan lapsuudesta, jolloin Elsa vielä leikki päivittäin Annan kanssa ja perhe suhtautui hyväksyvästi Elsan taikuuteen. Perheellämme oli paljon odotuksia tämän kirjan osalle, sillä halusimme kuulla sisarusten yhteisistä leikeistä ja seikkailuista enemmän.

Petyimme hivenen kirjaa lukiessa, sillä kirjassa käytettiin paljon aikaa Elsan pelkotilojen kuvailuun. Elsa epäröi ja pelkäsi tulevaisuuttaan Arendelin hallitsijana, mikä on tietysti ymmärrettävää. Mielestäni itse seikkailu, lumijäniksen etsintä, olisi voinut olla suuremmassa osassa kirjassa.

[Sarah Ryder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how this story focused on before Elsa hid her powers and how she’s still learning how to use them. Hers and Anna’s personalities really shone, and I loved seeing how close the family was before things went wrong. The art is really cute, and I loved the little bits of what Elsa discovers about herself and her connection to nature in Frozen 2 woven throughout this tale. A really fun read I enjoyed.

Content: none

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how little princesses can get into mischief. Growing up and still wanting to be free. I love this book as it’s whimsical and brings me back to the carefree days of childhood. Elsa & Anna are sweet and mischievous. They learn lessons on a whimsical vacation with their parents the King & Queen of Arendelle! It’s a prequel to Frozen. Definitely worth reading. Thanks for finding this for me goes to my sister! 💜💜💜

[Ang -PNR Book Lover Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

“OH. MY. GOODNESS” said Ella my 8 year old daughter

For any young reader, they are going to LOVE this story. They will find themselves lost in these cute little books.

Perfect for young children who are at a 3-4 level of reading, the illustrations and the characters you adore bring these books to a new light.

Definitely one to pick up for your little readers.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The actual rescue could've stood to be a larger part of the story. Love the little tie-ins to Frozen 2.

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Scholastic Aus for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Elsa’s Icy Rescue is a quick and fun read and as Frozen always does, it heavily focuses on the sibling relationship between Anna and Elsa. I also enjoyed reading about the family dynamic. This was a cute book and I definitely recommend to fans of Frozen!

[Joey Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Elsa but this wasn’t really what I was expecting from the story, it was still really good but I thought it would be better.

The family have all gone to their sommerhaus for a family holiday. Elsa thinks she’ll just get to play and have fun but then is told she still has to do all her practice for queen duties and lessons. When she does get time to play she uses her magic something she is still learning and doesn’t understand yet. Then after Anna hears the story of the snow hare and his good luck her imagination is set free.

Okay I liked we got to see a glimpse at Elsa struggling to understand her magic, that she wasn’t skilled with it but loved using it, she was trying so hard to use it safely and found it hard to do.

I loved seeing the girls together when they were young and having minds full of imagination and wonder, so cute. I always love back story for the Disney characters and this gave you a fair amount and seeing them as best friends too was so sweet.

This still wasn’t really the story I was expecting, I thought it would have some sort of thrilling adventure but it didn’t really. The story was still interesting but it just wasn’t exciting really.

[Damita Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elsa and Anna go in a trip to their Summerhouse with their parents and are ready to have full days of play.

Unfortunately, Elsa finds out her princess studies are going to continue eveb during her break. She gets to learn about new stories though that make her appreciate Arendelle more but then Anna goes missing.

This was such a good way to teach children to believe in themselves and never give up if it's something they really want.

[Shanakay Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Intriguing Tale

My daughter loves this story. She loves the adventures and the strong bond between sisters. I love that with each chapter there was a lesson with encouragement. Its truly an excellent read.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Icy rescue made it sound like it would be really exciting but it was a little lackluster. My three year old enjoyed it but it wasn't one she was asking to read like other ones we've read.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful book. It made a lovely gift/new bedtime reading for my friends' young daughter!

Disney Press recently released ‘Before the Story’ – an engaging new chapter book series for Kindergartners to Grade 3-level readers, with full color illustrations and some of Disney’s most beloved characters. We checked out ‘Anna Finds a Friend‘ and ‘Elsa’s Icy Rescue‘ by Kate Egan, which explore the sisters’ early life in Arendelle and beyond.

In Elsa’s story, Elsa cannot wait to spend time with Anna and her parents at their cozy cottage summer home in Sommerhus outside of the hustle and bustle of Arendelle. There she can escape her royal lessons and freely test the limits of her magic. However, being home-away-from-home is a little different this year and her powers are put to the test. Does she really have what it takes to one day become queen of Arendelle?

[Ioana Stef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hay un momento que me tocó mucho: “¿Cómo iban a confiarle tal responsabilidad si ni siquiera era capaz de cuidar un plato?” Esa frase resume muy bien la inseguridad que siente Elsa desde pequeña.

En la película vemos a una Elsa fría y distante, pero esta historia nos recuerda que alguna vez fue una niña, con miedos y dudas como cualquiera. Incluso en su etapa adulta, sigue habiendo momentos en los que se percibe su inseguridad, algo que muchas veces tiene raíces en la infancia.

Además, un aplauso para la reacción de los padres ante el desastre que ha causado su hija. Seamos sinceros: ¿cuántos no reaccionaríamos con enfado si alguien rompiera un objeto que significa mucho para nosotros?

En conclusión, aunque sea un libro infantil, los adultos también podemos aprender algo de él.

[Jem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to @scholastic_au for sending me a copy of this for review. I am loving these Disney beginnings stories, i think they are such fun reads and include some great lessons for younger readers to learn. This one follows Elsa as her and her family go away for the summer. I loved the focus on family and the way Elsa loves Anna. Elsa loves Anna fiercely and is always looking out for Anna when she gets into mischeif. I enjoyed reading about them having fun as a family and building a fort together. We also see Elsa learning more about being a queen one day and controlling her powers. Overall an enjoyable read and one young readers will enjoy.

[Mella · Rating 4 out of 5]

An early adventure featuring Elsa and Anna before the Frozen film. In this one the girls and their parents are on summer holidays. They have lots of plans but Elsa is sad to learn from now on her holidays won't be a break from lessons but lessons from a new location. Elsa and Anna learn the legend of the snow hare and how he can bring luck and Anna is determined to find him for Elsa. Along the way she gets stuck and Elsa has to trust in her powers to get her out of trouble.

This was a pretty quick read and not a lot happens. I liked the focus on Arendelle legends but would have liked to hear more than just the Snow Hare. My rating about 2 stars, target audience 4.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book about the Disney Princesses, when they’re about 8 years old. Are they always 8? I noticed Elsa and Anna both are in their books.

I love being able to see the two girls playing together as children. (They’re separated in Anna’s book, sadly.) Its a sweet story, with plenty of colored pictures. My 6-year-old caught on in the second chapter that the tiny picture on the chapter page is a hint at what’s to come. That was a nice touch and allowed us to talk about what we think might happen before starting each chapter.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little chapter book for youngsters. Elsa learns how to take responsibility for her actions and heed her parents advice. There was a sweet family togetherness element to this story and - of course - sisterly love (that is present through the movies as well). The only thing missing in the story was Olaf! I kept hoping he would make an appearance but, surprisingly, he did not. However, I would still highly recommend this book for fans of the movies/Disney fans!

[Qamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are thrilled that you enjoyed Disney Before the Story: Elsa's Icy Rescue by Kate Egan! You have learned what courage means, how to be kind, and the importance of lending others a helping hand. This story goes on to show that being brave and kind can change a lot of things. So, take this lesson forward and be brave when you’re up against the wall. Don’t hesitate to extend that hand of support for your friends and family.
Love,
Mom and Dad

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to scholastic Australia for a copy for an honest review.
Most little girls I know are obsessed with Elsa and anything Frozen related. This turned out to be a cute read for my nieces at bed time over several nights. It’s your typical Disney style sibling love and friendship story but still a nice read.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good first chapter book to read allowed for kids who are starting to sit still for longer tales, but still need the occasionalillustration to keep them engaged. My four-year-old loved it. The story itself is not unlike Disney's straight-to-DVD home releases, which is to say, fun for kids, but not particularly moving or impactful.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute, fun story about Elsa and Anna's vacation with their parents at their summer home. It deals with Elsa's insecurity and frustration regarding her powers and her burden of someday becoming Queen. Also, there's a search for a magical, luck-granting snow hare that might or might nor actually exist. If you like Frozen, check this story out.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story of Elsa and Anna as children. The girls are spending the summer with their parents at their summer house. Elsa and Anna can't wait to spend so much time together playing and exploring. When Anna gets herself in a bind, will Elsa be able to use her powers to save her? A cute story that lovers of Frozen will enjoy.

[Joana Almeida · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this little story, Elsa and Anna went to spent their summer vacations with their parents in a cozy cottage at the Sommerhus and found themselves on a night adventure! Loved the relationship between both sisters and their loving parents! Elsa is a young girl, insecure about her rule as future queen, but Anna has lots of faith in her big sister and even goes far and beyond to give her that extra good luck! A sweet and enchanting story without a doubt!

[Annabelle Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frozen is, like, literally my life, and I love the stories of when they’re kids the best. This is an amazing story! And the cover makes me feel like I’m right there. Anna finds a friend is amazing as well, I like how someone is focusing on Anna as well as Elsa.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pre frozen movie story about Anna, Elsa and their parents during one of their sommerhus holidays. This story has series life lessons for Elsa with her queen studies, fun family moments and Arendelle tales and legends within this short story with 10 Chapters. Delightful ending to the story.

[Meredith Spidel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet, lovely way to expand on the Frozen fun for young readers! I love these Before the Story books, Disney! Thanks for sending a copy for review our way!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6 yo and I really enjoyed reading this book together.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is so cute.

[Sarah Lindfors · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written for the story it is, not too long a read. Not fond of Anna going off on her own or catching a random rabbit.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute.

It’s perfect for kids who love Frozen. I do like how the sisterly bond is strong, and all this is before poor Elsa gets locked in her room.