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. Helps young readers connect with history through people and places.
- 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. Encourages gentle, guided conversations about challenging feelings and experiences.
- 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.
- 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. A lighthearted choice for sparking laughter and lively conversation.
- 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. Its playful humor makes reading aloud and sharing a laugh enjoyable.
- 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.
- 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. Encourages gentle, guided conversations about challenging feelings and experiences.
- 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. Invites exciting predictions and plenty of imaginative discussion.
- 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. A lighthearted choice for sparking laughter and lively conversation.
- 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. Offers space for thoughtful conversations about empathy and difficult choices.
- 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. Invites older readers to reflect on compassion, courage, and resilience.
- 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. Its playful humor makes reading aloud and sharing a laugh enjoyable.
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