The Snow Queen
When a wicked mirror shard turns Kay’s heart cold, his best friend Gerda refuses to give up on him. This magical fairy tale follows her brave journey through forests, palaces and icy kingdoms to melt the spell with the warmth of her love.
This story has been written and illustrated by real humans.
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Vocabulary
- Shards
- Tiny, sharp pieces of broken glass. In this story, they change what people see and feel.
- Frostbite
- Damage caused to skin by extreme cold. Kay feels its sting on his cheek from the Snow Queen.
- Enchanted
- Placed under a magical spell that changes thoughts or behaviour.
- Sleigh
- A vehicle that glides over ice or snow, usually pulled by animals.
- Instinct
- A natural feeling that guides behaviour, like the reindeer knowing where Kay is.
- Glacier
- A large, slow-moving mass of ice, forming part of the Snow Queen’s frozen palace.
- Tundra
- A cold, treeless landscape found in the far north that Gerda crosses on her journey.
Context
The Snow Queen is a classic fairy tale retold in poetic form, blending adventure, symbolism and emotional depth. It draws on traditional northern landscapes, magical creatures and archetypal encounters to explore how love, loyalty and courage shape a person’s character.
The story’s imagery – ice palaces, reindeer, trickster magic and enchanted mirrors – helps children and adults think about perception, emotional resilience and what it means to see clearly. Its structure supports vocabulary growth, moral reflection and critical thinking as readers compare characters’ choices.
Ultimately, it invites readers to recognise how steadfast love can overcome distortion, fear and isolation.
Discussion questions
Spark a conversation with your child and connect the story to real-life lessons.
Journeys
- Why do you think Gerda continues her journey even when the adults believe Kay is gone?
- What part of Gerda’s journey felt the most difficult to you, and why?
- How do different characters help or hinder her along the way?
Friendship
- How does Gerda show she is a true friend to Kay, even when he becomes unkind?
- Do you think Kay’s heart still remembered Gerda, despite the mirror shards?
- What qualities make a friendship strong enough to survive challenges?
Feelings
- How does the troll’s mirror change the way Kay sees the world and himself?
- Have you ever felt upset or angry for reasons you did not understand, like Kay?
- What feelings guide Gerda the most during her quest?
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FAQs about ‘The Snow Queen’
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Credits
This story was brought to life by these awesome real humans!
- Written by: Jade Maitre
- Illustrated by: Anthony E. Leah
- Music in video: to be confirmed. This music will be licensed under the appropriate Creative Commons or royalty-free licence as specified.
The post The Snow Queen first appeared on Bedtime Stories.
