10 Memorable Fantasy & Magical Realism Books for Kids
With their active imaginations, kids can have a lot of fun diving deep into a fantastical world. Watching TV and movies is nice, but reading a fantasy book is even better. Not only do children get to hear about the magical realm created by the author, they also get to picture all of the sights and sounds of the world, which might even inspire them to create their own great works of art. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
10 Memorable Fantasy & Magical Realism Books for Kids
How to Encourage Kids to Read
A great way to start is to get a bookshelf for your child's room. If they have access to their own collection of books, it'll be easy for them to read at their own pace. And if they're looking at the shelf everyday, reading will always be on their mind. It's also important to give your kids a comfortable place to sit. This can be anything from a rocking chair to a couch to a dedicated reading nook. If they have a space that's just for them, it makes reading time all the more special. As they grow, your young ones will start to read more challenging books with words they don't know. Encourage them to look up unfamiliar terms in the dictionary so they can expand their vocabulary. Finally, if you're having trouble getting your kid interested in books in the first place, try bridging the gap between visual media and literature with graphic novels.
Fun Activities For Young Fantasy Fans
- Watch some fantasy movies
- Draw wizards, fairies, unicorns, and more
- Create a Halloween costume of a favorite creature or character
- Have a board game night
- Practice a few magic tricks
What is Magical Realism?
In Depth
What could be better than being transported to a fantastical world full of compelling characters? For kids who love diving into new series, there's nothing more thrilling. Here, in no particular order, are some of the most legendary reads for kids who are looking to get lost in stories of faraway lands and daring deeds.
First up, we have Lee Bacon's "The Battle for Urth." Legendtopia isn't anything more than a tacky themed restaurant. At least, that's what Kara thinks when she visits on a class trip. But when she mistakenly finds a portal to the actual Legendtopia, a place where dragons roam free and a boy prince fights to save his kingdom from an evil sorceress, Kara gets way more than she bargained for. Will she and the prince be able to save the kingdom from dark magic? Not without a fight.
For #2 we get "Downside Up" by Richard Scrimger. Fred is having a hard time dealing with the death of his dog Casey. He just can't seem to cope with the loss. When an accidental fall into a parallel universe reunites him with Casey, he can't believe his luck. But in this new world, is the happiness he feels for real, or is he just finding other ways to put off dealing with the loss in his life?
When an accidental fall into a parallel universe reunites him with Casey, he can't believe his luck.
At #3 is Nikki Loftin's "Wish Girl." Introverted Peter just wants to be alone with his thoughts. His overbearing family doesn't make it easy to do. When he meets Annie, a girl with terminal cancer, he starts to feel a strong connection. As the two friends plan an escape to a magical valley, they start to see a world in which second chances aren't just a fairy tale. This stunning tale is perfect for kids who loved "Bridge to Terabithia" and other similar stories of beautiful friendship.
At #4 we find "The Wooden Prince" by John Claude Bemis. In this re-telling of "Pinocchio," nothing is as it seems. Gepetto is a criminal on the loose, while the famous wooden boy finds himself slowly turning from a block of wood into a living, breathing human. But when a princess discovers the duo's powers, she realizes that the future of her kingdom rests in their hands.
For #5 we get "Time Stoppers" by Carrie Jones. Annie Nobody is used to being moved from one foster home to the next. Her latest placement doesn't seem any more promising than the last, until a dwarf spirits her away to a magical land where Annie's true powers come to light. In this universe, she's a time stopper with an important job on her hands: protecting all the magical creatures around her from a terrifying, unknown danger.
Her latest placement doesn't seem any more promising than the last, until a dwarf spirits her away to a magical land where Annie's true powers come to light.
Coming in at #6 is T.A. Barron's "Atlantis Rising." In Ellegandia, magic is a day-to-day reality. For Promi, a poor boy who lives off stolen sweets, this place is home. However, when the land's walls fall prey to evil forces, the boy must team up with the brave Atlanta to save their homeland from ruin. This first book in the trilogy is a rousing hero's tale filled with action and strongly-drawn characters.
At #7 is Allan Frewin Jones' "Trundle's Quest," with illustrations by Gary Chalk. What makes a true hero? To Trundle, a peaceful, kind lamplighter who's not looking for adventure, "hero" is the last word he'd use to describe himself. When a quirky princess shows up on his doorstep demanding that he follow her call to action, Trundle will have to rethink his place in the world and find out what he's really made of.
#8 is "The Princess and the Page" by Christina Farley. Word-weavers are gifted with the extraordinary ability to bring stories to life with a magic pen. Because of this, they're hunted by people who are desperate to use their powers for evil. Keira is proud to be a weaver, even if her mother isn't. When Keira is forbidden to write at all, she knows she has to do something about it, even if it means putting her whole family in danger.
Because of this, they're hunted by people who are desperate to use their powers for evil.
At #9 is "Best Friends for Never" by Adrienne Maria Vrettos. Hattie and her three best friends are dedicated to each other. But after making a friendship pact and swearing that they'll protect each other no matter what, Hattie starts to see changes in her friends. What happened during their pact to change her buddies into total strangers? It's up to her to find out what magic can turn things back to the way they were. This story of friendship and growing pains is a bittersweet tale for kids of all ages.
Finally, in #10, is Ted Sanders' "The Box and the Dragonfly." Horace just wants to lead a normal life. Unfortunately for him, it's not in the cards, especially after he stumbles into the House of Answers, a bizarre chamber where magic objects hold strange, potent powers. This book expertly blends the best of sci-fi and fantasy to enchant and spellbind curious readers.
