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.”
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.
Tunnell, M. O. & Jacobs, J. S. (2008). Children’s literature, briefly. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education.
Labracadabra by
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 It Doesn't Matter Suit and Other Stories by
Sylvia Plath's timeless children's stories in a delightful edition set in a clear font for younger readers, with wickedly captivating illustrations from David Roberts.
The Polar Express by
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 by
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.
The Indian in the Cupboard by
It all starts with a birthday present Omri doesn't even want -- a small plastic Indian of no use to him at all. But when an old wooden cupboard and a special key bring the unusual toy to life, Omri's Indian becomes his most important secret: precious, dangerous, wonderful, and above all, magical.
Until the Celebration by
At a time when the Erdlings are to reenter Green-sky, mounting tension is eventually soothed by two children who have become symbols of the unification.
Tuesday by
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 by
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 by
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.