The Recommended Reading Order for Frozen: Anna & Elsa
For young readers wanting to explore the snowy kingdom of Arendelle, the best way to read the Frozen: Anna & Elsa series is in the order they were published. Since the stories are set during the transition period after the gates of Arendelle are opened, reading the books sequentially allows kids to witness the natural development of Elsa and Anna's relationship as they reconnect as sisters and leaders. The books are episodic, meaning each title features a complete, self-contained adventure, but starting from the beginning helps ground young minds in the newly opened castle life.
Disney Frozen: Anna & Elsa Publication Order
Written by Erica David and published by Random House, this beloved chapter book series spans ten books released between 2015 and 2017. Here is the publication list with details on each story:
- All Hail the Queen (2015): Elsa adjusts to her royal duties and learns that being a good queen means knowing when to take a break, while Anna helps welcome the citizens of Arendelle.
- Memory and Magic (2015): Anna tries to recover her lost childhood memories of Elsa's magical powers, addressing the emotional impact of Grand Pabbie’s original memory wipe.
- A Warm Welcome (2015): Olaf is excited to welcome new visitors to the kingdom, showcasing themes of friendship, hospitality, and community.
- The Great Ice Engine (2015): The sisters collaborate on an exciting engineering project to transport ice, demonstrating their ingenuity and the value of teamwork.
- The Polar Bear Piper (2015): Olaf leads a group of lost polar bear cubs in a lighthearted, snowy adventure filled with warmth and humor.
- The Arendelle Cup (2015): Anna and Elsa participate in a thrilling 150-mile sleigh race across Arendelle's mountains, teaching lessons about sportsmanship and competition.
- The Secret Admirer (2016): Anna and Olaf team up to uncover the identity of a mysterious gift-giver who is leaving presents for Queen Elsa.
- Return to the Ice Palace (2016): The sisters host visiting dignitaries and bring them to the ice palace in the mountains, only to find it overrun by mischievous snowgies.
- A Year with Elsa & Anna (and Olaf Too!) (2016): A scrapbook-style companion book formatted as a replica journal kept by a traveler named Marie, offering fun kingdom trivia.
- Anna Takes Charge (2017): When Elsa must leave the kingdom for a day, Anna is left in charge of Arendelle and must handle royal duties on her own.
Chronological Continuity: Filling the Frozen Gap
The Frozen: Anna & Elsa chapter books take place in the three-year gap between the events of the original Frozen (2013) movie and Frozen II (2019). This setting provides a cozy, low-stakes look at Arendelle during a period of peaceful rebuilding and sisterly bonding. While the books are officially licensed Disney products, their events are not considered essential canon for understanding the theatrical films. Instead, they serve as delightful side adventures that fleshed out Arendelle's world before the secrets of the Enchanted Forest were revealed in the second film.
What to Know Before You Start
Before introducing children to this series, keep these practical points in mind:
- Target Audience: The series is explicitly written for early chapter book readers aged 6 to 9. It uses simple vocabulary, short sentences, and large print.
- Illustrations: Every book features gorgeous black-and-white illustrations by Bill Robinson and other Disney artists, which helps keep young readers engaged.
- Format Discrepancy: A Year with Elsa & Anna (and Olaf Too!) differs from the rest of the series. Instead of a narrative chapter book, it is structured as an interactive scrapbook/travel journal, which is best read as a companion guide.