There are tons of fantasy books in the world, and it can be hard to decide which ones are worth reading. But if you’re looking for new books and want to read the best fantasy books for kids, then this list is for you!
Whether you are an adult looking for books for your kids to read or an adult looking for children’s fantasy books to read yourself, these amazing books will offer you plenty of entertainment. They’re some of my favorite books I’ve ever read as both a kid and an adult, and I’m sure you’ll find many of them will soon become your favorites too!
1. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
When you’re looking for the best children’s fantasy books, you can’t go wrong with picking up a copy of Howl’s Moving Castle. This book may be for children, but it’s a spectacularly magical book that is actually amazing for readers of all ages!
In a world of magic filled with fairy tale rules, Sophie lives and works at her family’s hat shop. One day, she finds herself cursed by the Witch of the Waste and in an instant she turns from a young girl into an old lady! After this curse, she decides to set off to see the world and soon finds herself at an enchanted castle that moves across the hills. This is, of course, Howl’s moving castle. But who is Howl? And will he help defeat the wicked witch? And will Sophie find herself an old lady forever or will she find a way to break the spell?
The cast of characters in this book are so delightful, from Sophie and the Wizard Howl to all the minor characters and my favorite character of all—the fire demon Calcifer! He’s simply the most hilarious character, and may even have the designation of being my favorite character of all time.
So if you’re looking for a magical fantasy book for kids, this is one you won’t want to miss. It’s a perfectly enchanting world with a perfectly enchanting story that will be sure to put a smile on your face!
Buy Howl’s Moving Castle now on Bookshop or Amazon!
Looking for more books like Howl’s Moving Castle? Check out this list!
2. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
One of my favorite children’s fantasy book series from when I was a kid was the Chronicles of Narnia, starting with the first book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. With seven books in this children’s fantasy series, you’re sure to get many hours of enjoyment out of these books!
The series starts with the four Pevensie children staying at a country house to avoid the bombings of London during World War II. But this isn’t just any house…it’s a house with a magical wardrobe!
When the children are playing hide and seek one day, Lucy hides in the back of the wardrobe and accidentally stumbles her way into the magical world of Narnia. It’s a winter wonderland, with mythical creatures, talking animals, and more exciting things to discover!
But soon Lucy and the other children learn that there is something very wrong about this world—it’s always winter! And the White Witch is terrorizing the land…
This story will transport you to another world, as you follow the adventures of the children as they race to free Narnia from the witch’s evil clutches. This story is the perfect balance between lighthearted and suspenseful, and will be sure to enchant and delight children and adults alike!
Buy The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe now on Bookshop or Amazon!
3. The Anybodies by N.E. Bode
If you’re looking for hilarious modern fantasy children’s books, then The Anybodies is a book you should put on your list right now. It’s not magical in the sense of witches and wizards, but is magical in the way that the Anybodies can turn into anyone or anything they like.
This delightful read shows its colors right from the start with its dedication: “THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO YOU. Yes, you. Don’t be so shocked. Haven’t you always secretly thought that you deserved a book dedicated to you and to you only?” And if that doesn’t put a smile on your face, then I don’t know what will!
The story shares the tale of a young girl named Fern, and is just as wonderful and whimsical as the book dedication. Fern tries to make herself fit in with her family, the Drudgers, but for some reason she’s always far more wild than they are. One day she learns that she was accidentally swapped at birth…and then she’s launched into an unforgettable adventure with her birth father and the Anybodies!
This tale has a magic-heavy storyline, a dash of mystery, and a hilarious narrator who keeps breaking the fourth wall to talk to the reader. It’s a unique kids fantasy series (with two amazing sequels: The Nobodies and The Somebodies) and is sure to completely charm you when you read it!
Buy The Anybodies now on Bookshop or Amazon!
4. Magyk by Angie Sage
Kids fantasy book series don’t get much better than Magyk, the first book in Angie Sage’s Septimus Heap series! This series is slightly reminiscent of Harry Potter, and with seven full-length novels in this magical series you are sure to have a blast reading all these books.
In Magyk, the story starts when Silas Heap finds a newborn girl in the forest in the snow. He picks her up and takes her home, only to find that his own child born that night is dead. While the Heaps mourn the loss of their son Septimus, they decide to keep the little girl, name her Jenna, and raise her as their own. But who is this little girl? And where did she come from?
Ten years later, the story really starts in earnest as Jenna discovers the truth of her birth…and she’s in danger! This sets her and the whole Heap family off on a fantastic journey to make sure the young girl remains safe.
With quirky characters including the ExtraOrdinary Wizard Marcia and the silent Boy 412, this children’s fantasy book is filled with fun fantasy elements, plenty of spells, and a bit of humor. It’s a little predictable at times (especially for older readers) but is still an enthralling book and is sure to quickly become one of your favorite fantasy novels for kids! (Don’t forget to check out the whole series!)
Buy Magyk now on Bookshop or Amazon!
5. Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
Another great series of fantasy books for children is Dealing With Dragons, one of my favorite dragon books! It feels a bit like a fairy tale in many of its elements, but also introduces some new elements that make it an amazing read.
Rather than simply following the fairy tale format, this book turns some common fairy tale conventions upside down. Is there a princess? Yes. Is she a damsel in distress? No way! In fact, instead of waiting for a prince to rescue her from the dragon…she actually chooses to run away to live with the dragon!
Cimorene, the princess, is headstrong and independent and a delight to read about. Her life with the dragon is a fun new take on the typical fairy tale of damsels and dragons! But when things start to go wrong in the dragon kingdom, will Cimorene and her dragon be able to figure out what is happening and who is behind all the mischief before it’s too late?
This book is filled with humor and heart and is delightful to read. But what makes it even better is that there are several other books in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles that you can enjoy. You can buy the whole box set here! And you’ll want to buy them all—because these modern fantasy books for children are definitely worth it!
Buy Dealing with Dragons now on Bookshop or Amazon!
6. The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
Another amusing story that deserves to be on this list of children’s fantasy books is The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. If you’ve ever wondered what Prince Charming’s real name is (or why the princes don’t often get names in fairy tales), then this is the book for you!
Prince Liam, Prince Frederic, Prince Duncan, and Prince Gustav have all done notable enough things to be mentioned in the songs of the bards. But for some reason the bards only call them all Prince Charming in the songs, while their respective princesses (Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel) always get named by name. How is that fair?
The princes don’t think it’s fair at all, and in fact most of them think they deserve recognition and proper identification. But the truth of the matter is that most of them are pretty lousy as far as princes go. Frederic, for instance, is scared of everything…and Prince Gustav thinks he’s strong but actually wasn’t able to save his princess (Rapunzel) and instead got thrown into a thorn bush and lost his eyesight. Rapunzel had to save herself from the tower and then save him from the thorn bush.
But when these bumbling princes find themselves thrown together and accidentally stumble upon an evil plot, they have to overcome their shortcomings to take on bandits, dragons, witches, and more evil creatures to hopefully save their kingdoms. Can they do it? That’s up for some debate, but it’s sure to be a hilarious time as they try to stop the evil forces threatening their world!
There are also two sequels to this story, The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle and The Hero’s Guide to Being an Outlaw, and you will definitely want to check them out after you finish the first book. These are good fantasy books for kids that will also keep adults entertained the whole way through!
Buy The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom now on Bookshop or Amazon!
7. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
If you’re looking for popular children’s fantasy books, then Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (plus the whole Harry Potter series) should definitely be on your list! There’s a reason that these books are favorites of both kids and adults alike, and that’s because they’re awesome.
Poor Harry Potter lives a miserable life with his aunt, uncle, and cousin. But one day he starts to receive mysterious letters…and it’s not long before he discovers the truth: he’s a wizard! And he’s invited to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!
As Harry adjusts to his new life at school, he meets fellow wizards and for the first time in his life finds friends that he fits in with. It’s the best year of his life…but there’s a darkness lurking on the outskirts of life at Hogwarts. Will Harry and his friends be able to help stop this evil from taking over the only true home Harry has ever known?
This book series catapults you into the world of magic, witches, and wizards right alongside Harry, and soon you’ll be completely caught up in this exciting magical world! It’s a beloved series filled with friendships, epic battles, and the little magical elements that make this series so special and beloved. You’ll definitely find this to be one of the best kids fantasy books around!
Buy Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone now on Amazon!
8. Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
The next book on this list of amazing children’s fantasy novels is Tuesdays at the Castle. If you love adorable fantasy books that make your heart soar, then this is one you’ll definitely want to check out!
Princess Celie lives at Castle Glower. But Castle GLower is not like other castles—it’s a castle that grows new rooms or gets rid of old ones depending on what its occupants need (and sometimes just for fun)! Celie loves the castle and has discovered that it frequently gets bored and grows new rooms on Tuesdays, so now those are her favorite days. No one really knows what the castle is going to do next, and the constant rearranging also means that it’s hard to find where you are going!
But when the King and Queen are on a journey and suddenly disappear, Celie’s life is drastically changed. Can Celie and her borhter and sister protect their home and kingdom in the absence of their parents? And when enemies begin to stalk the castle and kingdom, will Celie and the castle be able to fight the forces conspiring against them?
I love the engaging premise of a magically changing castle, and this book definitely delivers on all it promises. There’s fun human characters, a few mystical creatures, and plenty of fun hijinks to keep you entertained all the way through. And one thing’s for sure: this is one of the most magical books for kids and will leave you longing to learn more about Castle Glower and Celie as you read all the other amazing books in the series!
Buy Tuesdays at the Castle now on Bookshop or Amazon!
9. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Lightning Thief and the whole Percy Jackson and the Olympians series are incredible books to read. They are also definitely some of the most popular fantasy books for children, so be sure to add them to your list today!
The story follows a boy named Percy Jackson, who tries really hard but just can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork. He has dyslexia and ADHD, but now some really weird things are starting to happen to him, like his pre-algebra teacher turning into a monster and trying to kill him!
When his mom discovers what’s happened, she finally tells Percy the truth about his dad: he’s a Greek god…and that makes Percy a demigod! Soon, Percy’s off to Camp Half Blood, which is the only place demigods are safe from the monsters infiltrating the world.
As Percy starts to settle into camp life and meet the other demigods, something soon goes wrong. Zeus’s master lightning bolt has been stolen and war is about to break out between the gods. And only Percy can go on a quest to find the lightning bolt and restore it before calamity ensues! Will Percy and his friends Annabeth and Grover be able to find it in time?
This story is a captivating tale of heroic deeds, demigods, and friendship as Percy finds his place in the world. It’s somewhat education about Greek gods and Greek myths, but is still 100% fun. So fantasy kids books definitely don’t get better than this!
Buy The Lightning Thief now on Bookshop or Amazon!
10. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
When you’re looking for fantasy stories for children, Inkheart is an incredible book that you will certainly want to read! If you’re a book lover who has ever wished the characters in a book could come to life, then this is the tale for you.
12-year-old Meggie lives with her father Mo in a house full of books. But one day, Maggie spies a strange man outside and her father invites him into their house. This man, Dustfinger, alerts Mo that his past is about to catch up with him, as an evil man named Capricorn is hunting for him and his copy of a book called Inkheart.
When Mo is captured and taken away, Meggie sets out to find him and encounters other strange and helpful strange people along the way. Can Meggie discover what is happening? Can she help her father escape? And can she harness the magic of the silvertongue to set her whole world back to rights?
This book is an exciting read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s perfect for avid bookworms, but will be enjoyable to read no matter how much you love books as it is quite simply a fascinating magical read.
Buy Inkheart now on Bookshop or Amazon!
11. Watership Down by Richard Adams
Another fantasy book I adored as a kid was Watership Down, an adventurous tale of a warren of rabbits living in England. It’s a perfect tale for those who love talking animals in their fantasy fiction, and will be beloved by the whole family!
The story opens when Fiver, a young rabbit, sees a frightening vision of his warren’s impending destruction. But the rest of the warren and the chief rabbit don’t believe Fiver when he warns them, so soon he and his brother Hazel set out to find a new place to live. Nine other rabbits choose to go with them, and this small band sets out to to explore and find their new home.
Yet life isn’t easy for rabbits without a warren, and their a lots of dangers these brave rabbits have to face along the way as they search for the land Fiver has seen will be safe for them—Watership Down. Will all the rabbits make it there safe? Or will the fall to the threats of dogs, cars, and humans along the way?
The world of Watership Down is richly imagined and well-developed, with a rabbit language all its own, rabbit stories and myths, as well as various castes of rabbits organized by their jobs and physical abilities. With exciting deeds, close escapes, and more, this book will capture your imagination and keep you enthralled all the way through!
Note that there are some violence and other possible thematic issues in this book, so this one may be best as a read aloud to kids rather than letting them read on their own.
Buy Watership Down now on Bookshop or Amazon!
12. Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
If you’re looking for fantasy fiction books for kids with dragons in the stories, then Dragon Rider is definitely one to add to your list. It’s a fun fantasy tale filled with common dragon lore as well as a few unexpected twists!
This story starts when a helpful rat carries some alarming news to the last of the dragons: the valley where the live is about to be destroyed by humans! With this disastrous news ringing in his ears, one brave dragon named Firedrake sets out to find them a new home. But not just any new home—he’s looking for the ancient home of the dragons that has since become only a legend.
This place is known as the Rim of Heaven, but no one knows exactly where to find it…so Firedrake sets out on a mission to find it with the help of a brownie named Sorrel, a human named Ben, and the other fascinating friends they meet along the way.
But while Firedrake searches for the Rim of Heaven, there’s an ancient evil on the loose that’s searching for him and hoping to destory the last of the dragons. Will Firedrake be able to find a new home for the dragons in time? Or will he fall prey to the Golden One who seeks to destroy him?
This book offers a fun magical world with talking creatures that is reminiscent a bit of Narnia and a bit of Harry Potter, while still being fresh, exciting, and 100% fun! You’ll enjoy learning about how this fantasy world operates and will soon be cheering on the band of adventurers as they seek to find the home of the dragons…and you’ll most definitely enjoy it from cover to cover!
Buy Dragon Rider now on Bookshop or Amazon!
13. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
When looking for kids fantasy books with a fairy tale twist, Ella Enchanted is definitely the way to go. This Newbury Honor retelling of the Cinderella story is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike!
After Ella is born, fairies come to bestow gifts upon her. But one fairy, Lucinda, makes a terrible mistake and gifts her with the “gift” of obedience. While this seemed like a good idea to the fairy at the time, it’s actually more of a curse since Ella must obey what anyone tells her to do. Yes, anyone!
Then Ella’s mother dies and her father soon remarries to a woman named Olga…and Ella is left in the hands of her stepmother and awful stepsisters who use Ella’s obedience against her. But Ella does her best to resist and rebel as far as she can…until she decides to set out to track down the fairy Lucinda to undo the curse and set her free.
Meeting elves, ogres, and a prince along her quest to find Lucinda, Ella is soon enjoying her freedom and falling in love. But when Lucinda tells her she can’t lift the curse, will Ella be able to find a way on her own and find her happily ever after?
This is a fun fairy tale retelling with a delightfully independent heroine, who ultimately doesn’t rely on anyone but herself to reach her happily ever after. It’s a perfect read for kids of all ages and is unique enough to keep you interested all the way through!
Buy Ella Enchanted now on Bookshop or Amazon!
14. The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones
Children’s books about magic are a dime a dozen, but very few are as spectacular as The Lives of Christopher Chant and the other books in the Chrestomanci series. Diana Wynne Jones truly delivers amazing fantasy fiction that anyone and everyone will enjoy reading!
This book tells the story of a young boy named Christopher Chant, who comes from a magical family but isn’t magical himself. He’s left alone by his parents, who are constantly fighting, so with such a lonely life he only looks forward to escaping reality through his dreams at night.
In these dreams, he goes to a place he calls “The Place Between” and then on to the “Almost Anywheres”—worlds quite different from London and where he has all sorts of strange adventures. But when odd toys and objects from his dreams start showing up in his room, soon others in the house start to take note…and his world is turned upside down as he’s sent to Chrestomanci Castle to train to be the Chrestomanci and control all the magic in the world!
Going from a non-magical boy to becoming the possible next Chrestomanci is quite a change for Christopher. Will he succeed and become the next Chrestomanci? Or will he fall prey to the darkness seeping into his dreams
From one moment to the next in this book, you never know what will happen. It’s an easy read filled with excitement and danger that will leave you wanting to know more about Christopher and his magical world.
Buy The Lives of Christopher Chant now on Bookshop or Amazon!
15. Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
The last book on this list of incredible fantasy book for kids is Dragon Slippers, the first book in a delightful series by Jessica Day George. It’s fun, filled with dragons and magic, and the perfect read for kids of all ages!
Creel’s aunt wants to sacrifice her to the local dragon in the hopes that a knight will show up, fight the dragon, and marry Creel…and then, of course, financially support Creel’s aunt, uncle, and cousins because that’s the least the knight can do after rescuing her (or so Creel’s aunt says). But Creel isn’t worried about her aunt’s plan to give her to the dragon, because no one’s seen the dragon in centuries.
But when Creel is left at the entrance to the dragon cave, she soon finds that the dragon is real and he is still living in the cave! And now that he’s captured her, how will she escape? Well, this dragon doesn’t really want to fight a knight over her, so he accepts Creel’s bargain: she’ll take an item from his hoard, in exchange for leaving and saving him the bother of having to fight a knight.
But this dragon doesn’t collect gold like Creel expected—he collects shoes! So with a new pair of slippers on her feet, Creel sets out for the King’s Seat to find work in a shop and make a living embroidering gowns. But then things start to go wrong when she’s attacked, then caught up with other dragons, and ends up finding herself in the midst of a plot to take over the kingdom! What will she do? Can she save the kingdom and get her own happily ever after at the same time?
This tale will keep you on the edge of your seat as you read…and luckily there are two sequels to enjoy as well: Dragon Flight and Dragon Spear. It’s a great children’s fantasy novel that you will be sure to love!
Buy Dragon Slippers now on Bookshop or Amazon!
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