Best fantasy books for kids
The best fantasy books for kids include Magic Tree House, Matilda and Journey. Fantasy is where many children first fall for long series, so a good first pick can carry them through several books.
12 books, checked for age-appropriate content. Updated .
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken.
- 1
Ages 6–8
Magic Tree House
by Mary Pope Osborne
Siblings Jack and Annie discover a mysterious tree house full of books in the woods near their home. Whenever they open a book and make a wish, the magic tree house whisks them away to different times and places throughout history, from ancient lands to distant eras. Young readers love the blend of real facts, easy-to-read chapter formats, and the thrill of exploring new worlds alongside two relatable and curious adventurers.
- 2
Ages 9–11
Matilda
by Roald Dahl
Matilda Wormwood is an extraordinarily bright little girl, but her selfish parents treat her like a nuisance. When she starts school, she finds a warm friend in her teacher, Miss Honey, but faces a terrifying headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who despises children. Matilda soon discovers she possesses a surprising special power that just might help her fight back. Packed with Dahl's signature mischievous humor, it is a fun, empowering story about brains triumphing over bullies.
- 3
Ages 6–8
Journey
by Aaron Becker
A bored, lonely girl uses a red marker to draw a magic door on her bedroom wall, stepping straight into an astonishing new world. As she travels through grand castles and swooping canals on self-drawn boats, hot-air balloons, and flying carpets, she soon finds herself risking everything to help a captured creature in need. Told entirely without words, this visual adventure lets young readers interpret the story themselves, sparking their imaginations with its breathtaking artwork and themes of courage and creativity.
- 4
Ages 6–8
The Princess in Black
by Shannon Hale
Princess Magnolia has a secret: whenever her monster alarm rings, she slips into disguise as the Princess in Black to battle hungry beasts and protect the kingdom's goats. Balancing proper tea parties with Duchess Wigtower and high-kicking superhero duty makes for a fast-paced, humorous adventure. Early readers love the colorful illustrations, playful secret-identity fun, and the reassuring message that princesses can be brave, tough, and resourceful.
- 5
Ages 9–11
Max and the Midknights
by Lincoln Peirce
Max dreams of becoming a knight rather than an apprentice troubadour, even though medieval traditions stand in the way. When Uncle Budrick is captured by the cruel King Gastley, Max bands together with a lively group of misfit friends called the Midknights to mount a daring rescue. Blending comic strips with illustrated narrative, this fast-paced adventure delivers constant jokes, magical surprises, and heroic moments that keep young readers laughing and turning pages.
- 6
Ages 6–8
Our Principal Is a Frog!
by Stephanie Calmenson
When a visiting magician makes a mistake during a school assembly, Mr. Bundy is transformed into a green, fly-catching frog. Still determined to run the school, the tiny principal hops around trying to do his daily job while the children help him out. It is a silly, lighthearted early reader filled with fun illustrations and easy vocabulary. Young readers will enjoy the goofy classroom mishaps and the funny idea of an amphibian trying to keep an entire elementary school in order.
- 7
Ages 9–11
The Land of Stories
by Chris Colfer
After losing their father, twins Alex and Conner receive a cherished fairy-tale book from their grandmother that unexpectedly acts as a portal into a magical realm. To find their way back home, the siblings must travel through kingdoms inhabited by familiar characters like Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, and Goldilocks on a quest to gather rare items. The story is an imaginative, fast-paced blend of humour and wonder that appeals to children who love clever twists on traditional folklore.
- 8
Ages 6–8
Dragon Masters
by Tracey West
Eight-year-old Drake is an ordinary farm boy until he is chosen by the Dragon Stone to become a Dragon Master. Brought to King Roland's castle, he meets three other young masters and discovers his own dragon, a gentle earth dragon named Worm. Together, the children must learn to connect with their dragons, unlock hidden magical powers, and protect the kingdom. Filled with illustrations, short chapters, and fast-paced adventure, this accessible fantasy appeals strongly to emerging readers stepping into early chapter books.
- 9
Ages 6–11
Where the Sidewalk Ends
by Shel Silverstein
This classic collection of poetry and black-and-white cartoons captures the joys, worries, and wild absurdities of childhood. Readers meet unusual characters like Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who refuses to take out the garbage, alongside imaginative situations from flying shoes to crocodile dentists. The rhythm is snappy, the humor ranges from silly to quietly reflective, and the illustrations add extra fun to every page. Children love dipping into the quick, clever verses that show language can be playful and unexpected.
- 10
Ages 12–14
Sheets
by Brenna Thummler
Thirteen-year-old Marjorie Glatt is barely keeping things together. While dealing with the loss of her mother and an overwhelmed father, she is forced to run the family laundromat, all while facing pressure from a sleazy local businessman and cruel classmates. Enter Wendell, a young ghost wrapped in a sheet who longs for friendship but inadvertently wreaks havoc on Marjorie's wash cycles. With its soft pastel palette and poignant storytelling, this graphic novel balances gentle whimsy with tender, relatable reflections on grief, loneliness, and hope.
- 11
Ages 6–11
Charlotte's Web
by E.B. White
On a peaceful farm, a runt piglet named Wilbur is spared from slaughter and finds an extraordinary friend in Charlotte, a wise and caring barn spider. When Wilbur's life is threatened again, Charlotte uses her clever web-spinning to convince the farmers he is too special to lose. This heartwarming, gentle story explores loyalty, the cycles of nature, and the deep bonds of true friendship, making it a comforting and memorable read for young readers.
- 12
Ages 6–8
Dragons Love Tacos
by Adam Rubin
Dragons adore tacos of every shape and size, whether stuffed with beef, chicken, or cheese. If you want to befriend them, hosting a giant taco party is the way to go. There is just one crucial rule: dragons absolutely cannot handle spicy salsa, or disaster strikes. Filled with playful illustrations and deadpan silliness, this cheerful picture book delights young readers with its absurd premise, escalating chaos, and irresistible culinary theme.
More book lists for kids
A good book is the start. A mentor makes it stick.
In a free 1:1 session, a trained Bookstaken mentor reads with your child, asks what they think and helps the reading habit last.