Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Upbeat "Frozen" spin-off is an easy chapter book for fans.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Kristoff has a surprise for Elsa and Anna: He's taking them to Troll Valley to witness a special crystal ceremony that takes place under the northern lights. His young friend Little Rock is to be honored for earning his Level 1 crystal. But things don't quite go as planned: Little Rock hasn't completed his tracking crystal, and both the northern lights and the troll leader are absent. The sisters, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven set off on a quest with Little Rock to help the worried troll earn his crystal before winter arrives.
Is It Any Good?
This cheerful little adventure is a fun jaunt into Elsa and Anna's magical world, ideal for young Frozen fans who are just getting started with chapter books, either read aloud or on their own. JOURNEY TO THE LIGHTS earnestly showcases three key traits -- being courageous, observant, and inventive -- with clear examples of each in action.
The slight story occasionally skates dangerously close to sermonizing, but the charming characters keep it light and engaging. Though targeted to ages 8 and up, simple sentences, big print, and thematic structure make it a good choice for kids as young as 6. A colorful center spread explains the northern lights, and each page sets the text against a border with a soft blue landscape. Other artwork is limited to cropped versions of the cover art.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Little Rock's friends help him without doing the work for him. Do you find it easy to ask for help? What kind of help do you appreciate when you're stuck on something?
Would this story be as appealing if it didn't include characters you already knew and loved from the movie Frozen? How does this book compare with the movie that inspired it?
Little Rock's friends tell stories that inspire him and offer solutions to the problems they're facing. Have you learned anything from a story that helped you in real life?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , STEM
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Children's Books
- Publication date : July 5, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 224
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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