Best Fantasy Books for First Time Readers (2026)

A child who has just learned to sound out words needs a different first fantasy book than a reader ready for a long series, so start with the reader when choosing the best fantasy books for first time readers. This list ranks five early reader listings by reading age, grade level, page count and series position, and adds three more options. Every pick is written for young children, so adult fantasy is not covered here.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Future of the Time Dragon by West	9.7/10	Buy
2	Fairy Tales Boxset by Wonder House	9.6/10	Buy
3	Uni's First Sleepover by Rosenthal	9.6/10	Buy
4	Magical Mermaids by Random House	9.4/10	Buy
5	When I Hold You by Huffstutler	9.2/10	Buy

1

Future of the Time Dragon by West

Tracey West·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 ›

A Dragon Masters early chapter book for newly independent readers who like dragons and time travel.

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Pros

• Part of a 33 book series, so there is more to read after it
• Illustrations on every page, the description says
• Reading age and grade level are both stated and agree

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
• Book 15 of 33, so a new reader starts mid-series and the listing does not say whether earlier books are needed
• Story turns on a dark wizard's spell and a trip back in time

2

Fairy Tales Boxset by Wonder House

Wonder House Books·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 ›

Twenty abridged fairy tales in one box, for small children who want short bedtime stories.

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Pros

• Twenty fairy tales in one box, including Cinderella and Rapunzel
• Short stories built for brief reading sessions, the description says
• Reading age and grade level are both stated and agree

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
• Stories are abridged and retold, not the original texts
• A set of short tales, so there is no single plot to follow

3

Uni's First Sleepover by Rosenthal

Amy Krouse Rosenthal·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 unicorn's first sleepover in a Step 2 early reader, for a child who can sound out new words with help.

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Pros

• Unicorn story in early reader format, the description says
• Basic vocabulary and short sentences, per the description
• 32 pages, a short single read

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
• Light plot about a sleepover, with no series number stated
• Small adventure, so readers wanting a big fantasy world will want more

4

Magical Mermaids by Random House

Random House·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 Shimmer and Shine magic story in a Step 1 reader, for children who know the alphabet.

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Pros

• Magic story with Shimmer and Shine characters, the description says
• Big type and easy words in a Step 1 reader, the description says
• Rhymes and picture clues help children decode the text

Cons

• Description says ages 4 to 6, but the listed reading age is 3 to 5 years
• Reading age is marked as from customers, not stated by the publisher
• Single 24 page volume with no series number stated

5

When I Hold You by Huffstutler

Ashley Huffstutler·9.2/10 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 ›

Not a fantasy story: a rhyming poem about a mother's love, with Scriptures woven into the images.

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Pros

• Gentle rhyme with diverse illustrations, the description says
• Short 24 page single volume
• Publisher listed as B&H Kids

Cons

• Not a fantasy book, so it does not fit a first fantasy read
• Description says ages 0 to 4, but the listed reading age is Baby to 2 years
• Scripture in every image may not suit every family

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More picks to compare

• Time to Shine by YoungFor early readers who like fairy stories and series, Book 2 of 3.Check on Amazon
• Pinkalicious: Fairy House by KannFairy story in short sentences; reading age 4 to 6 from customers.Check on Amazon
• Dragon Egg by LoehrA dragon story in a 32 page Step 1 book for early readers.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. All five ranked picks state a reading age, marked as from customers, and four also give a grade level. The How we pick page 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 first time readers

Match the reader’s level first

A child who knows the alphabet can start with a Step 1 reader such as Magical Mermaids, while one who recognizes familiar words can move up to Uni’s Step 2 story. For more choices by level, see the kindergarten readers list.

Check where the series starts

Dragon Masters is Book 15 of 33, so a new reader would begin mid-series. The listing does not say whether earlier books are needed.

Pick the format for the moment

The 20 fairy tales in one box suit a bedtime routine, while a single 24 or 32 page reader suits one sitting. For read-aloud choices, browse picture books.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age and grade level on the listing, and whether the reading age is marked as from customers.
• For a series, confirm the series number, such as Book 15 of 33 for Dragon Masters.
• Read the description for tone, since several picks mention magic, spells or a wizard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What reading age do these first fantasy books cover?

The listed reading ages run from Baby to 9 years, so match the range to your child. Dragon Masters gives 6 to 9 years, marked as from customers.

Should a child start a series at Book 1?

Where a listing gives a series number, starting at Book 1 keeps the story in order. Dragon Masters is Book 15 of 33, and its listing does not say whether earlier books are needed.

Are these books for adults?

No. Each pick is a children’s early reader, picture-style book or fairy tale collection, so adult fantasy is not covered.

Still deciding? Our top pickFuture of the Time Dragon by West

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Related lists

See every Fantasy and Romantasy list and all Fiction lists.

More lists: fantasy books for kids age 8, elementary fantasy books, fantasy series for kids and fantasy books for children.