Aside from the insanely popular Harry Potter, Spiderwick Chronicles, Narnia, and Inkheart series, among others series/novels, there are some similarly spellbinding children’s fantasy books that are capable of hooking readers from the first page.
The novels listed below contain much of everything readers look for in an interesting fantasy novel and, consistent with the beauty of a children’s fantasy, they offer very remarkable, fantastical storylines that even readers older than the demographic are likely to be wholeheartedly roped into.
1) Frostheart (Frostheart #1) by Jamie Littler
The monsters lurking beneath Snow Sea separate little Ash and his small town from the rest of the world. Trapped there, Ash waits for his missing parents’ return while under the guard of Toby, a very grumpy yeti. It isn’t until Ash attempts a brave rescue that he realizes he has something that other children might not: amazing magical powers that may be of help to a sleigh full of adventurers as amazing as him. On board the amazing sleigh, Frostheart, Ash hopes to find some assistance. He needs to find his family.
2) Willow Moss and the Lost Day (Starfell #1) by Dominique Valente
Willow Moss isn’t exactly the most exciting witch in the magical world of Starfell. Rather than explosive amazing powers, her abilities include finding commonly lost objects, like keys and socks. Of her seven sisters, she’s the youngest, the weakest, and the least confident. But her fate changes when the most powerful witch in Starfell knocks on Willow’s door seeking her help! Now, it’s Willow’s turn to hold the world in her hands.
3) Malamander (The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea #1) by Thomas Taylor
Herbert “Herbie” Lemon is the resident Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel and his job is not at all easy. Returning lost items to their owners might actually prove to be a rather dangerous job — especially in this case, returning a girl’s lost parents to her side. Violet Parma’s parents went missing twelve years ago when Violet was a baby, but that doesn’t stop Violet from wanting to search high and low for them, determining whether they are still alive for her to love. Now, with Herbie’s help, Violet is convinced that their disappearance may involve the Malamander, legendary half-human, half-fish sea monster of Eerie-on-Sea.
4) The Land of Roar (Roar #1) by Jenny McLachlan
The Land of Roar, an imaginary world hidden between the folds of their grandfather’s folding bed, was supposed to be exactly just that to Arthur and Rose. Imaginary. Heroes in Roar, Arthur and Roar met and interacted with countless magical creatures, including dragons, wizards, and mermaids as children. Now eleven-years-old, the twins are shocked to discover that this land, Roar, may actually be more than imaginary. When their grandfather is mysteriously snatched through the folds in his bed when cleaning the attic, the unbelievable idea shifts: Roar might be real.
5) Casper Tock and the Everdark Wings (The Unmapped Chronicles #1) by Abi Elphinstone
Casper Tock is an unpopular kid who balks at any sign of danger or surprises. One day, when hiding from his bullies in an old grandfather clock leads to him winding up in an alternate universe, the sky kingdom of Rumblestar, Casper cannot contain his shock. This mysterious clock turns out to be one of the Unmapped Kingdoms connected to Casper’s own real world, controlling and keeping the weather in Casper’s world balanced. Mysterious circumstances lead to a crazy adventure as Casper meets a rebellious and daring girl named Utterly in Rumblestar and, together, they protect the Unmapped Kingdoms’ magic from the evil Morg. If they fail, the state of Casper’s world will be left in ruins.
How amazing do these new novels sound? Fantasy is all about imagining… and I imagine some of these novels making it onto your reading shelf! If not all of them…
With that said, happy reading!
