Top 10 Best Children's Fantasy Books
"BestFantasyBooks.com guide to the Top 10 Best Children's Fantasy Books"
It seems every publisher is trying to cash in on the Harry Potter phenomenon; the YA/Children's section of the bookstore is packed with all
manner of children's fantasy books. Fortunately, I've selected the Top 10 Children's Fantasy books guaranteed to please your kids. These are nice, clean fantasy books for kids that
you can read with your children.
Fantasy books are great for younger children because fantasy involves imagination and suspension of reality --
a feat that children have a natural aptitude for.
Fantasy literature is appealing to children and can introduce them to the joys of reading from a young age. Children's Fantasy novels
can help develop positive reading habits in children that they will keep for life. Read my Children's Fantasy Book list for some great books your kids can read!
#1: Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis)
This is the ultimate series for younger readers. It's got talking animals, children protagonists, evil witches, adventures galore, and the clash between good and evil. This classic is completely safe for the kiddies and can be appreciated by all ages. I grew up on this series as a kid and I've been a fantasy book reader ever since. These are the ultimate childrens fantasy books.
#2: Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling)
Wizards, witches, and wonders, all set in a place every kid can identify with: school. Harry Potter is an "everykid" -- a character all kids can relate to. He's that awkward, shy kid starting his first day of school. He is forced to deal with situations that many kids face: bullies, annoying relatives, unreasonable teachers, etc. In short: it's a wildly entertaining series for kids and a fantastic way to get your child into reading; it's also not unheard of to have the parent "borrow" their children's copy. Who says children's Fantasy books are only for kids?
#3: The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien)
From the Inside Flap
Bilbo Baggins was a hobbit who wanted to be left alone in quiet comfort. But the wizard Gandalf came
along with a band of homeless dwarves. Soon Bilbo was drawn into their quest, facing evil orcs, savage
wolves, giant spiders, and worse unknown dangers. Finally, it was Bilbo?alone and unaided?who had to
confront the great dragon Smaug, the terror of an entire countryside ...
J.R.R Tolkien's grand fantasy masterpiece and pre-cursor to Lord of the Rings: An utterly magical adventure that appeals to both kids and "grown up" kids. Tolkien wrote this fantasy book for his kids -- and for your kids too. This book is especially great when you read it to your kids: the magical, far away look in a child's eyes as you read this story out loud is worth every penny the book costs. This is one of the best Children's fantasy books you can get!
#4: Abhorson Trilogy (Garth Nix)
Amazon Book Description
Sent to a boarding school in Ancelstierre as a young child, Sabriel has had little experience with
the random power of Free Magic or the Dead who refuse to stay dead in the Old Kingdom. But during
her final semester, her father, the Abhorsen, goes missing, and Sabriel knows she must enter the Old
Kingdom to find him. She soon finds companions in Mogget, a cat whose aloof manner barely conceals
its malevolent spirit, and Touchstone, a young Charter Mage long imprisoned by magic, now free in body
but still trapped by painful memories. As the three travel deep into the Old Kingdom, threats mount
on all sides. And every step brings them closer to a battle that will pit them against the true
forces of life and death--and bring Sabriel face-to-face with her own destiny.
A rip roaring adventure set in a dark fantasy landscape. This book is ostensibly for Young Adults, but children can still read it (11+ age). A warning: this book is scary -- but the story is wildly entertaining, and the world well drawn and vivid, something that appeals to all ages. This is one book that the adults should read too; It's made my Top 25 Fantasy books list and with good reason. This is one children's fantasy novel that audults shouldn't miss!
#5: His Dark Materials (Philip Pullman)
A young girl's journey of magic and discovery that will take her to the ends of the earth...and beyond.
His Dark Materials is a modern classic that can be enjoyed by old and young alike; This is "Narnia" for the 21st century. It's made my Top 25 best fantasy book list. Like Garth Nix's Abhorson trilogy, these are children's fantasy books that every adult should read.
#6: Eragon (Christopher Paolini)
Amazon Description
Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy--until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save--or destroy--the Empire.
While adults wanting a mature and well-written fantasy may balk at this book, it's a great read for the younger readers. Kids always love dragons and this entire book is about a dragon. This children's fantasy book is a great introduction into the world of reading for your kids.
#7: Bartimaeus Trilogy (Johnathon Stroud)
From the Inside Flap
Nathaniel is a young magician with only one thing on his mind: revenge.
As an apprentice to the great magician Underwood, Nathaniel is gradually being schooled in the traditional art of magic. All is well until he has a life-changing encounter with Simon Lovelace, a rising, star magician. When Simon brutally humiliates Nathaniel in front of everyone he knows, Nathaniel decides to speed up his magical education, teaching himself spells way beyond his years. Eventually, he masters one of the most difficult spells of all: summoning the all-powerful djinni, Bartimeus.
But summoning Bartimeus and controlling him are two very different things--and Nathaniel may be in way over his head.
This is a really good fantasy trilogy. It's right up there with His Dark Materials and Abhorson as far as plotting, action, and writing quality go. The series is quite intense and becomes dark (people die, scary things happen, etc), but children ages 11+ should be able to follow along. This is a children's fantasy book both kids and adults should read.
#8: Keys to the Kingdom (Garth Nix)
Seven days. Seven keys. Seven virtues. Seven sins. One mysterious house is the doorway to a very mysterious world -- where one boy is about to venture and unlock a number of fantastical secrets. This is another thrilling, triumphantly imaginative series from Garth Nix, the best-selling author of THE SEVENTH TOWER, SABRIEL, and LIRAEL.
An 11-year old boy accidently becomes master of the universe and wild adventures proceed. With a rich, slightly weird world and great cast characters, this is a fantasy series that every kid will love. The world is extremely imaginative and the writing is superb. Less dark then Abhorson trilogy, this children's fantasy series is great for adults and kids.
#9: Artemis Fowl (Eoin Colfer)
Amazon Book Description
From a strikingly original voice in fiction comes the story of Artemis Fowl, a very unusual hero. Artemis combines the astuteness of Sherlock Holmes with the sangfroid of James Bond and the attitude of Attila the Hun. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories. These fairies are armed and they're dangerous. Artemis thinks he's got them just where he wants them, but then they stop playing by the rules ...
Someone described this series as Harry Potter meets Die Hard -- an apt description indeed. But parents fear not: this is not Harry Potter with blood effects turned on, it's a rip roaring tale that sucks you in. As an anti-hero, Artimis is an unusual character in children's fantasy. It's the bad guy's turn to win for once and in this book, you will find yourself rooting for the spoiled, imperious, but somehow likable boy-genius criminal Artemis Fowl. Darker then Harry Potter and hilariously funny (at times), The Artemis Fowl series is a must read.
#10: James and the Giant Peach (Rohald Dalh)
From the Inside FlapRoald Dahl's children's classic will be rediscovered with wonder and delight in this handsome gift edition with all-new black-and-white illustrations by Caldecott Honor Book artist Lane Smith (who also designed the characters for the Disney animated film). How James escapes from his miserable life with two nasty aunts and becomes a hero to his new insect family, including Miss Spider, the Old-Green-Grasshopper, the Centipede (with his 21 pairs of gorgeous boots), is Dahl-icious fantasy at its best"
I first heard this story, read to me by my 1st grade teacher, when I was five; it's stuck with me ever since. This is a classic tale that reaches out to all ages, races, and religions. Even after two decades, it's left an impression on me. It's not the standard children's fantasy book that you may be used to, but it's still a great read that every kid will love. Get a copy of this book and read it to your kids; it's tale worth sharing and a memory that your children will remember for the rest of their lives! If only all children's fantasy books could be as good!
