The mischievous imps' magic mirror has frozen Kay's heart, turning him into a miserable prisoner of the Snow Queen. His best friend, Gerda, is racing barefoot across Lapland to save him - together they must find the secret of the universe and sing their way home, before Kay's heart becomes cold and black forever.

This story is a magic bean. It may not look much like a bean, but I can promise you that it is. For if you plant it in a young mind, it will grow into a love of story and reading. These beans are favourite fairytales and legends that will delight, thrill and thoroughly entertain. Each story has been brilliantly crafted by one of the best-loved writers for children.

This story was published by David Fickling Books as part of the Magic Beans anthology. The complete anthology is available in hardback and in ebook format.

Berlie Dohertybegan writing for children in 1982, after teaching and working in radio. She has written more than thirty-five books for children, as well as for the theatre, radio and television. She has won the Carnegie Medal twice: in 1986 forGrannyWas a Buffer Girland in 1991 forDear Nobody. She has also won the Writer's Guild Children's Fiction Award forDaughter of the Sea. Her work is published all over the world, and many of her books have been televised.

A short story from the Magic Beans series: a heart-warming tale of friendship against all odds.