What do trolls, polar bears and evil snow queens have in common? They each are the subject of a story to be read at this afternoon's winter bash at the Hampden Branch Library.

"Polar Bears and Ice Queens," an event for kids ages 6 to 12, will present stories, crafts and snacks all related to wintry weather.

The 45-minute program, which also expresses the values of different cultures, will kick off with the reading of three culturally varied tales.

The Snow Queen by Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen is a classic fairy tale chronicling a girl's quest to rescue her friend from an evil snow queen. Polar Bear Son, an Inuit folktale adapted by Lydia Dabcovich, tells the tale of the friendship between an old woman and a polar bear. The Cat on the Dovrefell, illustrated by Tomi dePaola, is a Swedish Christmas story about trolls and a polar bear that's mistaken for a cat.

The chilly thrills continue after the story time as kids get to create snowflakes out of paper and glitter and munch on an icy treat: snowballs.

The event begins at 3:30 p.m. The Hampden Branch Library is at 3641 Falls Road. Call 410-296-6043.