What is a Fantasy Book?
Modern fantasy has “story elements that violate the natural, physical laws of our known world—events akin to magic. Modern fantasy has known authors. Some miraculous elements found in modern fantasy are talking animals, imaginary worlds, fanciful characters, magical beings, and so on. Some types of modern fantasy include the following: toys and objects imbued with life, tiny humans, peculiar characters and situations, imaginary worlds, magical powers, supernatural tales, time-warp fantasy, and high fantasy.”
High Fantasy
High fantasy in children's books is a subgenre of fantasy fiction that is set in an entirely fictional world, often with its own rules, history, geography, and magical elements. These stories usually involve an epic quest or struggle between good and evil, with richly developed characters and themes of heroism, courage, and personal growth.
Key Features of High Fantasy in Children's Books:
Imaginary worlds: The story takes place in a fully invented universe (not the real world).
Magic and mythical creatures: Often includes wizards, dragons, enchanted items, and magical powers.
Epic quests: The protagonist typically goes on a journey or mission to defeat evil or restore balance.
Good vs. evil: A central conflict often pits noble characters against dark or corrupt forces.
Coming-of-age themes: Characters (often children or young teens) grow, learn, and mature through their adventures.
High fantasy offers young readers a chance to explore big ideas and emotions in imaginative settings far removed from everyday life.
Low Fantasy
Low fantasy in children's books is a subgenre of fantasy where magical or fantastical elements are introduced into the real world or a world that closely resembles it. Unlike high fantasy, which takes place in entirely invented universes, low fantasy is grounded in reality, with magic or unusual events intruding into everyday life.
Key Features of Low Fantasy in Children's Books:
Real-world settings: The story is set in a world familiar to the reader (like modern-day cities, schools, or homes).
Limited magical elements: Magic exists but is usually subtle or limited to specific characters or objects.
Ordinary protagonists: Main characters are often regular children who encounter or discover magical phenomena.
Focus on personal experience: The fantasy elements often highlight themes like friendship, family, identity, or problem-solving.
Low fantasy appeals to children because it blends the familiar with the magical, helping them imagine that wonder and possibility might exist just beneath the surface of the everyday world.
Browse some of SWIC's children's fantasy books below.
See one you like? Request it and pick it up at the Library Front Desk. Watch a video on how to request books. You will receive an e-mail from SWIC Library in your SWIC student e-mail when it is ready for pick-up.
Inheritance SERIES @ SWIC Library
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Don't miss the eagerly anticipated epic new fantasy from Christopher Paolini--Murtagh! A new adventure hatches in Book One of the Inheritance Cycle, perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings! This New York Times bestselling series has sold over 40 million copies and is an international fantasy sensation. "Christopher Paolini is a true rarity." --The Washington Post When fifteen-year-old Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and, 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.
The Tale of Despereaux
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Despereaux disappoints his family at every turn as a mouse who cares not a whit for scurrying or nibbling. When he discovers the phrase: Once upon a time--it is a discovery that will change his life
Chronicles of Narnia
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Aslan, the noble lion, and the royal leaders of Narnia struggle against the magical forces of evil.
Contents: The magician's nephew -- The lion, the witch and the wardrobe -- The horse and his boy -- Prince Caspian -- The voyage of the Dawn Treader -- The silver chair -- The last battle.
Harry Potter SERIES - Books on the Shelves @ SWIC Library
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The Harry Potter series chronicles the life of an orphaned boy who discovers he's a wizard and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He learns about his past, including the murder of his parents by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, and the attempt on his own life, which left him with a distinctive scar. Throughout the series, Harry, along with his friends Ron and Hermione, confronts Voldemort and his followers, facing various magical challenges and uncovering hidden secrets, ultimately leading to a final showdown to save the wizarding world.
Percy Jackson SERIES @ SWIC Library
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The Lightning Thief 2005;
The Sea of Monsters 2006;
The Titan's Curse 2007;
The Battle of the Labyrinth 2008;
The Last Olympian 2009;
The Chalice of the Gods 2023;
Wrath of the Triple Goddess 2024;
Tristan Strong SERIES @ SWIC Library
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Over the course of the trilogy—comprising Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, Tristan Strong Destroys the World, and Tristan Strong Keeps Punching—Tristan discovers he is an Anansesem, a storyteller whose words can shape reality. He embarks on epic quests to heal injured friends, unite warring factions, battle monstrous enemies like the Hull Beast and the Shamble Man, and thwart the plans of powerful antagonists including Anansi the Trickster God and King Cotton.
A Wizard of Earthsea
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The first novel of Ursula K. Le Guin's must-read Books of Earthsea. Ged was the greatest sorcerer in Earthsea, but in his youth he was the reckless Sparrowhawk. In his hunger for power and knowledge, he tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tumultuous tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance. With stories as perennial and universally beloved as The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings--but also unlike anything but themselves--Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea novels are some of the most acclaimed and awarded works in literature. They have received accolades such as the National Book Award, a Newbery Honor, the Nebula Award, and many more honors, commemorating their enduring place in the hearts and minds of readers and the literary world alike. Join the millions of fantasy readers who have explored these lands. As The Guardian put it: "Ursula Le Guin's world of Earthsea is a tangled skein of tiny islands cast on a vast sea. The islands' names pull at my heart like no others: Roke, Perilane, Osskil . . ." The Books of Earthsea include: A Wizard of Earthsea The Tombs of Atuan The Farthest Shore Tehanu Tales from Earthsea The Other Wind
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Newbery Honor Book)
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A Newbery Honor Book! New York Times bestseller! An Al Roker's TODAY Show Book Club Pick! A Time Magazine 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time selection! A Reader's Digest Best Children's Book of All Time! This stunning fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore is a companion novel to Starry River of the Sky and the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to Silver In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer. Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat returns with a wondrous story of adventure, faith, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full-color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers. Don't miss: Starry River of the Sky When the Sea Turned to Silver The Year of the Dog The Year of the Rat Dumpling Days Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods and coming soon: The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon
The School for Good and Evil
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THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL will soon be a major motion picture from Netflix--starring Academy Award winner Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, Laurence Fishburne, Michelle Yeoh, Sofia Wylie, Sophie Anne Caruso, Jamie Flatters, Earl Cave, Kit Young, and more! The New York Times bestselling School for Good and Evil series is an epic journey into a dazzling new world, where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one. Start here to follow Sophie, Agatha, and everyone at school from the beginning! With her glass slippers and devotion to good deeds, Sophie knows she'll earn top marks at the School for Good and join the ranks of past students like Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Snow White. Meanwhile, Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks and wicked black cat, seems a natural fit for the villains in the School for Evil. The two girls soon find their fortunes reversed--Sophie's dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School for Good, thrust among handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are? Don't miss the thrilling conclusion to the beloved series, The School for Good and Evil #6: One True King!
Low Fantasy Books for Children
Online and On the Shelf @ SWIC Library
Labracadabra
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Zach isn't impressed with his new dog, Larry, at first. He'd hoped for a chocolate lab or a spaniel, not this funny looking mish-mash of a dog with a great long tail. And who names a dog "Larry," anyway? But Zach discovers that when Larry twirls that ridiculously long tail - Labracadabra! - amazing things happen. It's not very long before Zach knows that he and Larry will be Best Friends Forever!
The Polar Express
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The Polar Expressis a treasured holiday tradition. This lavish gift set includes a CD audio recording read by Liam Neeson, a keepsake "All Aboard" ornament, and a note from author Chris Van Allsburg. Awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1986, The Polar Expresshas sold more than 7 million copies, become a classic holiday movie, and been translated into stage productions that take place across the United States during the holiday season.
Where the Wild Things Are
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Where the Wild Things Are is fifty years old! Maurice Sendak's Caldecott Medal-winning picture book has become one of the most highly acclaimed and best-loved children's books of all time. A must for every child's bookshelf. Introduce a new generation to Max's imaginative journey with this special anniversary edition. Let the wild rumpus continue as this classic comes to life like never before with new reproductions of Maurice Sendak's artwork. Astonishing state-of-the-art technology faithfully captures the color and detail of the original illustrations. Sendak himself enthusiastically endorsed this impressive new interpretation of his art before his death in 2012. This iconic story has inspired a movie, an opera, and the imagination of generations.
Tuesday
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The unpredictable events of a particular Tuesday unroll before the reader with the precision and clarity of a silent movie. A Caldecott Medal book.
In the Night Kitchen
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From the acclaimed author-artist Maurice Sendak comes a Caldecott Honor-winning tale of a fantastical dream world. This comic fantasy will delight readers of all ages with playful illustrations and an imaginative world only Sendak could create. In the Night Kitchen is the classic story of Mickey's adventures in the bakers' kitchen as they prepare our morning cake. "Milk in the batter! Milk in the batter! We bake cake and nothing's the matter!" the bakers sing. The bakers in the night kitchen need more milk for their batter, but then Mickey falls into the cake! They decide to put him in the oven anyway, but Mickey has different plans. He escapes in a plane made of bread dough and helps the bakers find the milk at last. "A celebration of the primal, sensory world of childhood and an affirmation of its imaginative potency," proclaimed Children's Books and Their Creators.
Hey, Al
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Al, a janitor, and his faithful dog, Eddie, live in a single room on the West Side. They eat together, they work together, they do everything together. So what's the problem? Thier room is crowded and cramped; their life is an endless struggle. Al and Eddie are practically at eachothers throats when a large and mysterious bird offers them a new life in paradise. After some debate, they decide to accept. Transported to a gorgeous island in the sky, Al and Eddie are soon living a life of ease and luxury. But they come to find that the grass can be a little too green on the other side. After a dramatic, nearly tragic escape from their paradise prison, both man and dog agree: there really is no place like home. Hey, Al is the winner of the 1987 Caldecott Medal.
The Bakery Dragon
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NATIONAL BESTSELLER * The heroic tale of a tiny dragon with a heart of gold and a taste for treats! A scrumptious picture book for fans of funny fairytales and fantastic beasts. Ember has always been different from the other dragons. His fearsome roar sounds more like a polite sneeze, and when he breathes fire, the villagers just pat his head and say awwww. Ember fears he'll never collect a respectable hoard of gold until a chance encounter with a baker causes his fortunes to turn (and his stomach to grumble). As the little dragon soon discovers, the gold you make is way better than the gold you steal--and gold that is shared? That's best of all. Magic shimmers on every page of Devin Elle Kurtz's feel-good picture book that celebrates baked goods, dragons, and generosity in equal measure. Filled with adorable illustrations, this is a perfect read aloud for bedtime or brunchtime!
Coraline
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New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning author Neil Gaiman's modern classic, Coraline--also an Academy Award-nominated film "Coraline discovered the door a little while after they moved into the house...." When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own (only better), things seem marvelous. But there's another mother there, and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go. Coraline will have to fight with all her wit and courage if she is to save herself and return to her ordinary life. Neil Gaiman's Coraline is a can't-miss classic that enthralls readers age 8 to 12 but also adults who enjoy a perfect smart spooky read.
Amelia Bedelia BOOKS
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A literal-minded housekeeper causes chaos in the Rogers household when she attempts to make sense of some instructions
Harold and the Purple Crayon
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From beloved children's book creator Crockett Johnson comes the timeless classic Harold and the Purple Crayon! This imagination-sparking picture book belongs on every child's bookshelf. One evening Harold decides to go for a walk in the moonlight. Armed only with an oversize purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of wonder and excitement. Harold and his trusty crayon travel through woods and across seas and past dragons before returning to bed, safe and sound. Full of funny twists and surprises, this charming story shows just how far your imagination can take you. "A satisfying artistic triumph." --Chris Van Allsburg, author-illustrator of The Polar Express Share this classic as a birthday, baby shower, or graduation gift!
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry BearThe Big Hungry Bear
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First published in 1984, a picture book in which the Little Mouse will do all he can to save his strawberry from the Big, Hungry Bear, even if it means sharing it with the reader. The Little Mouse and the Big Hungry Bear are known and loved by millions of children around the world. Little Mouse loves strawberries, but so does the bear... How will Little Mouse stop the bear from eating his freshly picked, red, ripe strawberry.
Piggies
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Children will delight in the antics of ten marvelous little piggies who romp from fingers to toes in this original bedtime fantasy. Don Wood's oil paintings explode with mirth and magic and will engage all young readers."Trying to describe these luxuriant, witty pictures doesn't really work, however; seeing is believing, and what luck for us there's so much to see."--Booklist
The Flying Dragon Room
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With the help of Mrs. Jenkins' magic tools, Patrick builds a fabulous place of his very own.
The Bunyans
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Meet the Bunyan family--Paul, his giant wife Carrie, and their two king-sized children Little Jean and Teeny. As they frolic through early America, their footprints and adventures carve out infamous sites from the Rocky Mountains and Niagara Falls to Yellowstone's "Old Faithful!" Full color.
Purple, Green and Yellow
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Brigid loves markers, especially her super-indelible-never-come-off-till-you're-dead-and-maybe-even-later markers! Brigid's mother buys her 500 washable markers, then 500 smelly markers. But when she gets Brigid 500 of the latest kind of markers with super-permanent ink, and Brigid draws on herself, she has to use her wits to figure out how to get back to normal.