Best Fantasy Books for Beginner Readers (2026)

A new reader who has finished an easy book and wants magic next will find the best fantasy books for beginner readers easier to choose once the listed reading level is in view. We compared each listing’s reading age, grade level, page count, edition and description, so every pick says who it suits and who should skip it.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Pete the Kitty and the Unicorn by Dean	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Five Enchanting Tales by Various	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Star Wars Boxed Set by Lucasfilm	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	A Poor Excuse for a Dragon by Hayes	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
5	The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Baum	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Pete the Kitty and the Unicorn by Dean

James Dean·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Pete uses a magic paintbrush to find a unicorn's lost rainbow colors, a fit for emergent readers who like unicorns.

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Pros

• Unicorn magic story written in basic language
• Word repetition and short text, per the description
• The listing states an illustrated edition from 2020

Cons

• Title says ages 4-8, but the listed reading age is 4 to 6 years
• Only 32 pages, and no series position is stated
• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher

2

Five Enchanting Tales by Various

Various·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Retold Disney princess stories in a Step 2 reader, for children who can sound out new words with help.

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Pros

• Five familiar Disney tales in one 160 page volume
• Basic vocabulary and short sentences, per the listing
• The listing states an illustrated edition

Cons

• Each tale retells a movie, so the plots will feel familiar
• The listing is a 2016 edition, so check for a newer printing
• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher

3

Star Wars Boxed Set by Lucasfilm

Lucasfilm Press·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A boxed set of Level 1 readers with familiar Star Wars characters, for beginners who already know the cast.

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Pros

• Simple text and colorful illustrations, per the description
• Several titles in one set, with 192 pages listed
• Reading age and grade level both fit early elementary

Cons

• Science fiction rather than fantasy, so genre fit is loose
• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
• Listed as one boxed set, so the set is the unit of purchase

4

A Poor Excuse for a Dragon by Hayes

Geoffrey Hayes·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fred the dragon works through a list of dragon tasks with a shepherd, a giant and a witch, for readers at Step 4.

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Pros

• Dragon fantasy with a witch and a giant
• Illustrated edition with 48 pages, as the listing states
• Humorous tone, as the description calls it

Cons

• The description says the dragon swallows people, so preview it
• Grade level 2 to 4 sits above a first reader's level
• The listing is a 2011 edition, the oldest of these picks

5

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Baum

Deborah Hautzig·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Dorothy's tornado trip to Oz, adapted as a Level 4 reader that the description says suits advanced readers.

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Pros

• Classic fantasy with flying monkeys and talking lions
• Newest publication date here, April 15, 2025
• Part of the Penguin Young Readers program, per the listing

Cons

• Level 4 and advanced-reader wording sit above the 3 to 7 reading age
• Grade level 3 to 4 is above a beginning reader's level
• The listing does not state whether it is illustrated

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More picks to compare

• Pinkalicious: Fairy House by KannFor young readers who like fairies and a short Level One story.Check on Amazon
• Henry Heckelbeck Gets a Dragon by CovenFor kids who like magic school stories with illustrations on almost every page.Check on Amazon
• Alice in Wonderland by CarrollFor ages 5 to 8 who want a classic fantasy about a rabbit hole.Check on Amazon
• Callie's Magical Flight by BorstFor unicorn fans who are emerging readers, Book 1 of 6 in a series.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. Every pick lists a grade level and a reading age, and each reading age is marked as from customers. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best fantasy books for beginner readers

Match the reading level first

Pete the Kitty and the Unicorn’s Missing Colors lists a reading age of 4 to 6 years, while A Poor Excuse for a Dragon lists grade level 2 to 4 for a more confident reader.

Choose a single book or a set

A boxed set gives several titles in one purchase, while The Wonderful Wizard of Oz stands alone. For more fantasy, browse our best fantasy books for beginner readers section, or browse picture books.

Before you buy

• Check the edition and publication date, since the Wizard of Oz listing is dated 2025 and the dragon listing is dated 2011.
• For the boxed set, confirm the Level 1 titles in the box before you buy.
• Compare the listed reading age with your child, because each reading age is marked as from customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pick suits a child who is just starting to read alone?

Pete the Kitty and the Unicorn’s Missing Colors lists a reading age of 4 to 6 years, marked as from customers, and grade level Preschool to 3.

Is A Poor Excuse for a Dragon meant for a first reader?

The listing gives grade level 2 to 4 and a reading age of 4 to 8 years, marked as from customers, so it suits a reader past the first steps.

Does any listing include an answer key?

None of these listings states that an answer key is included.

Still deciding? Our top pickPete the Kitty and the Unicorn by Dean

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Related lists

See every Fantasy and Romantasy list and all Fiction lists.

More lists: first time readers, new readers and kindergarten.