Frostfire
Author: Elly Mackay
Illustrator: Elly Mackay
1 October 2024
Tundra Books
44 pages
Book description from Goodreads: “Follow dragon-expert Miriam and curious Celeste on a magical winter’s day walk through their garden, where a snow dragon just might be hiding! Elly MacKay’s luminous artwork and sweet sibling story will cast a spell over readers of all ages in this playfully imaginative picture book that’s perfect for fans of Frozen.
On a walk through a snow-covered garden, big sister Miriam claims to hear the sound of a snow dragon. Little sister Celeste has lots of questions: snow dragons are real? Where do they hide? What do they eat? And is that frost on the greenhouse windows or is it … frostfire?
Miriam seems to have an answer for everything about snow dragons. But when Celeste wanders off, she has a magical encounter that changes everything she thought she knew.
Told through gently playful dialogue and brought to life with spectacular works of paper diorama art, Elly Mackay’s newest picture book is an enchanting wintertime adventure destined to become a classic seasonal fairy tale that readers will enjoy for years to come.”
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Reading Activities inspired by Frostfire:
- Before Reading–From looking at the front cover:
- What do you think the word Frostfire could mean?
- What do you think could make frostfire?
- What do you see behind the two foxes? Can you make up a name for it?
- Do you think that the foxes are the same age? Which one might be older?
- Why do you think they are out in the snow? Where could they be going?
- What questions would you like to ask the author or the illustrator before reading the book?
- After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story:
- How did Miriam know so much about snow dragons? Did she get anything wrong about them?
- How does the snow dragon camouflage? Where does it go in the summertime?
- What did Celeste give to the snow dragon?
- How do you think the sisters felt when they both saw the snow dragon in the clouds?
- How did the illustrations add to the story? How do you think Elly Mackay made them?
- What do you think is the main message of the story?
- Have you ever played games using your imagination?
- Would you recommend this book to a friend? What part would you tell them about first?
- Go Cloud Gazing: Lie down outside and look up at the sky like Celeste and Miriam. What sort of shapes do you see in the clouds? What creatures might be flying there, camouflaged as clouds?
- Camouflage Your Own Dragon: Draw a dragon on paper using colored pencils, crayons, watercolors, or markers, and glitter! Cut out the shape. Find different places where your dragon blends in and think about why it might live in that habitat.
- Treasure Hunt: Head outside and pretend you’re a snow dragon out in the wild! What sort of things would you take for your hoard? A pine cone? Acorn tops? Shiny pebbles?
- Write Your Own Imaginary Creature: Imagine you are telling a tall tale to a friend or sibling! What sort of details can you create about a mysterious magical creature? Where does it live? What does it eat? Write a story about meeting one in the wild. Draw a picture of it! What sound does it make?
- Further Reading: If you loved Frostfire, you might enjoy other books about mysterious, magical creatures and winter adventures. Which of these have you already read?
Margaret’s Unicorn by Briony May Smith
Margaret watches the herd leap from the mountain, fading into the clouds that streak across the sky. The unicorns had migrated for the winter, but they accidentally left a baby behind. It’s up to Margaret to care for him! This story gently holds the magic and wonder of childhood imagination.
Dear Yeti by James Kwan
Two young hikers venture into a winter wonderland in search of the mysterious and elusive yeti! Will their letters be enough to coax the shy creature out of hiding? A hilarious tale about making unlikely friends and being kind.
The Little Forest Keepers by Mary Lundquist
A story about being kind and open. Ash and Pudd are forest keepers! They take care of everything in the cold wintry wood. It’s very important that all of the animals have hats and scarves to keep warm. Even the trees need to be bundled up! One day, a strange new creature arrives, and Ash and Pudd have never seen anything like it before.
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Late one night, a little girl and her father go owling. It’s her first time, and she is so excited! But she must stay very quiet. She hopes their calls will work, and that they will spot an owl. A timeless story of the quiet beauty in a small moment.
Lexi Hall is a children’s writer and illustrator from Pittsburgh PA. Growing up, she fell in love with writing and illustrating her own little stories to share with her friends. Now, she lives and works in Boston, MA as the children’s bookseller at Beacon Hill Books & Café, where she is spoiled with daily access to all the picture books she can read!
Lexi is pursuing her MFA in children’s book writing and illustration from Hollins University. She has illustrated for Hollins University Magazine and The Big Kit & Lil’ Kaboodle children’s magazine. She has also illustrated an upcoming 2025 picture book written by author Heather Harris Bergevin, Enough Elizabeths, with Lucky Rabbit Publishing.
Website: www.lexihall.com
Instagram: @lexi.paints
