'Frozen' Star Visits Wyckoff School To Share New Children's Book

WYCKOFF, NJ — As Idina Menzel, Frozen's Elsa, leaned back from the mic while she sang the movie's signature song to a Wyckoff school assembly, a chorus of 330 child's voices could be heard belting out the lyrics, Superintendent Kerry Postma said.

This was a "truly heartwarming moment," Postma said, "in what turned out to be an amazing day" for students and staff at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in the township.

Menzel — the voice of the Disney character — and her sister Cara Mentzel visited the school Thursday to present their new lyrical picture book, "Loud Mouse," discuss their writing process and inspiration, and lead students in a sing-along of the iconic song, "Let It Go."

The visit was made possible with support from Ridgewood's Bookends Bookstore, which reached out to Lincoln School's media specialist Jaclyn Husstege about hosting the authors (and sisters) to share their new book, school Principal Patrick Lee said.

Husstege taught them about the guests and music teacher Juliette Panzitta taught students a musical number from the book to share with them.

"The students absolutely loved having Idina and Cara here, thrilled that the real-life 'Elsa' was visiting our school," Lee said. "They were inspired by their story and how they worked together to craft this story, and enjoyed listening to them read the book aloud to the school."

In addition to the assembly, Menzel and Mentzel met with two representatives of Lincoln School's student council, Annabel and Jack, who interviewed them, asking several questions about their journeys as professionals, and how working together as siblings was. The interview was filmed for a student-produced show, "The Lions' Den," which the school will share with the community once the video is edited.

"We are truly grateful for the experience," Lee said, "and thankful to Bookends of Ridgewood for thinking of us for these amazing guests."