Fantasy can be a tough genre for kids but there are awesome book series that can help them kick off their reading adventure. Kids usually love the idea of diving into fantasy worlds but many popular series can feel too complicated for newbies. By starting them off with series that slowly introduce them to common themes and characters in fantasy, they’ll be better prepared for those classic reads as they grow in their skills and understanding.
The Time Quintet
The Time Quintet starts with A Wrinkle in Time which came out in 1959. This series has a great vibe for younger readers. The story is about a sister and brother and their friend going on a quest to rescue their dad from some dark forces. A Wrinkle in Time is totally whimsical and has characters with fun names like “Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which” and plenty of laughable bits.
Similar to The Chronicles of Narnia the Time Quintet was written fifty years back so the language could be tough for some young readers. Still, it’s a great start for kids diving into the fantasy world. A Wrinkle in Time also serves as a neat intro to sci-fi.
The Inkworld Series
The Inkworld series has a modern fantasy feel but it keeps that classic charm like in A Wrinkle in Time . The first book, written by German author Cornelia Funke, is called Inkheart and features a girl and her dad who can bring book characters to life just by reading aloud. As the story goes on, their powers grow as they move into the worlds of Inkspell and Inkdeath where the magical world of stories becomes real for them.
One of the best things about the Inkworld series is it gets readers to fall in love with books and stories. Funke writes about reading a book being as good as enjoying a tasty meal and her characters’ love for literature is really contagious. This makes Inkheart a perfect way to start not just in fantasy but in the wider world of reading.
His Dark Materials
In His Dark Materials the story unfolds in a fantastic alternate universe focusing on a girl who goes on a journey to save her missing best friend. The first book Northern Lights ( The Golden Compass in the U.S.) came out in 1995 with two more books following soon after. His Dark Materials includes lots of classic fantasy stuff like witches and alternate worlds along with some unique traits like the well-known armored polar bears.
His Dark Materials has exciting action and interesting mysteries but it also dives into some big ideas and social themes that really draw readers in. It brings up important questions in a way that’s easy for younger readers to digest.
The Chronicles Of Prydain
The Chronicles of Prydain is a set of five novels by Lloyd Alexander. The adventure kicks off with The Book of Three in 1964 and carries on with The Black Cauldron (1965), The Castle of Llyr (1966), Taran Wanderer (1967 ), and The High King (1968). Each of these is a beloved tale on its own. The Prydain series is perfect for introducing kids to high fantasy.
Alexander’s books strike a great balance between playful fun and some darker themesand get their inspiration from Welsh mythology. The main character often gets help from quirky companions like a prophetic pig and a bard named Fflewddur Fflam. While that keeps things light-hearted, the spooky undead army led by the villain Arawn adds a cool darkness that appeals to both kids and adults.
The Fowl Adventures
Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl series includes eight novels in its first cycle that came out between 2001 and 2012, with three more in the second cycle from 2019 to 2021. This fantasy series is all about action and has C. Colfer even describes the books as “ Die Hard with fairies .” This makes The Fowl Adventures a hit with younger readers.
It’s a mix of police drama and high fantasy, and while the movies haven’t quite hit the mark, the book series is definitely worth reading.
Artemis Fowl, the main character, starts off as a villain but as the story unfolds he turns into more of an anti-hero. He works with Holly Short, the elf captain of the Lower Elements Police, who changes from being an enemy to a friend. The story combines elements of a cop show with fantasy. Even though screen adaptations haven’t been super successful, the books definitely have lots to offer.
The Borrowers by Mary Norton tells the tale of a family of tiny people living in the walls of regular-sized folks’ homes. These small beings “borrow” food and other essentials to get by. Over the five books, they face all kinds of challenges, like running into rodents and unfriendly humans.
The Borrowers books published from 1952 to 1982 are easy to read.These stories are perfect for younger kids who aren’t quite ready for the other series. The characters are super lovable and the fun tales inspire kids to leave little things around the house for their own tiny Borrowers.
The Fablehaven Series
The Fablehaven series has five books by Brandon Mull released between 2006 and 2010. It tells the story of two siblings who visit their grandparents while their folks are away. While they’re there, they find out their grandparent’s house is actually a refuge for magical creatures which they realize after solving a puzzle and drinking some enchanted milk.
Fablehaven is packed with thrills and challenges as the characters try to protect the reserve. They face some wild dangers like witches, demons, plagues, and a nasty group that threatens all the magical beings like fairies, nymphs, unicorns, and satyrs living there. Fablehaven is just what young readers need to grow a love for the classic creatures in fantasy. They’re both fun and a bit scary at times.