Best Fantasy Books for Children (2026): 5 Picks Compared

A child who has just finished a story about a brave owl and wants another one will find that the best fantasy books for children differ in length and reading level. This list is for parents, teachers and gift buyers, and it compares what each Amazon listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Knight Owl by Denise	9.7/10	Buy
2	Where the Wild Things Are by Sendak	9.7/10	Buy
3	Nobody Likes a Goblin by Hatke	9.6/10	Buy
4	Lion, Witch and Wardrobe by Lewis	9.6/10	Buy
5	Book of Mythical Beasts by DK	9.4/10	Buy

1

Knight Owl by Denise

Christopher Denise·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 ›

An owl who has always wanted to be a knight guards a medieval castle, a good fit for a child who likes clever, brave underdogs.

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Pros

• Medieval setting and a clever hero suit a child who enjoys underdog stories
• The listing states it won a Caldecott Honor Award
• Book 1 of 2, so a child who finishes it has a second book ready

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
• The description mentions a frightening intruder and a duel, so check it against a sensitive listener
• A 48-page picture book, so older readers may want a longer chapter book

2

Where the Wild Things Are by Sendak

Maurice Sendak·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 ›

After being sent to bed, a boy sails to an island of Wild Things, a classic pick for a child who likes make-believe.

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Pros

• The listing states it won the Caldecott Medal
• New reproductions of the artwork, as the description states
• A single 48-page volume that is short enough to read aloud in one sitting

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
• A picture book, so a child who wants a long fantasy novel will need another title
• The description has Max causing havoc before the journey, a scene younger listeners may want to talk through

3

Nobody Likes a Goblin by Hatke

Ben Hatke·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 goblin left alone in his dungeon sets out to learn how the rest of the world feels about goblins, a fit for a child who likes friendship stories.

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Pros

• A goblin, a dungeon and a band of adventurers make a fantasy setting
• The listing gives the edition as Illustrated, with 40 pages
• Friendship drives the plot, as the description says

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, and no grade level is stated
• At 40 pages, it is a short read for a child who wants a longer fantasy
• The description says the adventurers steal the treasure and take Skeleton, which some young listeners may find upsetting

4

Lion, Witch and Wardrobe by Lewis

C. S. Lewis·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 ›

Four siblings step through a wardrobe into Narnia, a land under the White Witch's spell, in an abridged picture book for a child new to Lewis's fantasy.

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Pros

• Four siblings and Aslan give the Narnia fantasy a clear cast
• The description calls it an abridged retelling for younger readers
• The description says Tudor Humphries illustrated it

Cons

• The listing title says A Novel, but the description calls it a picture book, so check the format before buying
• Reading age 3 to 7 is marked as from customers, and the listing gives no grade level
• The description calls it the second book in The Chronicles of Narnia, so check the series order

5

Book of Mythical Beasts by DK

DK·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 ›

A nonfiction guide to mythical creatures from many cultures, for a child who prefers myths and facts to invented stories.

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Pros

• Full-color illustrations, as the description states, across 160 pages
• Covers myths from Ancient Greece, Australia and Native American traditions
• Grade level 2 to 4 is stated, a clearer guide than the customer-marked age

Cons

• It is a nonfiction guide, so a child who wants a plot will not find one
• The reading age of 5+ is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
• Written as a guide rather than a story, so it suits a child who reads in short bursts

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More picks to compare

• Knight and the Dragon by dePaolaBumbling knight and clumsy dragon; reading age 3 to 5, marked from customers.Check on Amazon
• Drowned Vault by WilsonEpic fantasy with sibling heroes; Book 2 of 4, so read Book 1 first.Check on Amazon
• Good Night, Little Dragons by TysonBedtime story about three small dragons; reading age 1 to 3, from customers.Check on Amazon
• Narnia Board Book by LewisBoard book Narnia retelling; reading age 1 to 3, from customers.Check on Amazon
• Georgie Summers by RudanskyLonger fantasy for middle grade readers; 400 pages, reading age 9+ from customers.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 16 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 reading age, and three also give a grade level. 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 children

Match the picture book to the listed age

Listed reading ages run from 1 to 7 years, all marked as from customers, so a child who has outgrown picture books may find them short. For longer chapters, browse more middle grade books.

Check whether the book is part of a series

Knight Owl is Book 1 of 2, so a child who likes it can go straight to the second title. The Narnia picture book is listed as the second book in The Chronicles of Narnia, so check that series order first. For more fantasy with a clear next step, see our fantasy books for kids list.

Before you buy

• Check the format: the Narnia picture book and the Narnia board book list different reading ages, 3 to 7 and 1 to 3.
• For a series, check the book number on the listing, such as Book 1 of 2 for Knight Owl or Book 2 of 4 for The Drowned Vault.
• Every reading age on this list is marked as from customers, so compare it with the child’s own reading level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a child start a fantasy series?

Start with Book 1 when the listing gives a series number, such as Knight Owl, which is Book 1 of 2. The Narnia picture book is listed as the second book in The Chronicles of Narnia, so check the order before buying.

What age is a fantasy picture book for?

Nobody Likes a Goblin lists a reading age of 2 to 5 years, and Where the Wild Things Are lists 1+ years, both marked as from customers. Use the listed age as a starting point, not a rule for one child.

Which pick suits an older reader?

Georgie Summers and the Scribes of Scatterplot, listed below, has 400 pages and a reading age of 9+ years marked as from customers. Its listing describes ages 8 to 14, so check the description for themes.

Still deciding? Our top pickKnight Owl by Denise

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Related lists

See every middle grade list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: browse picture books, young adult books and fantasy books.