ReadersMagnet recommends these five fantasy story books perfect for children.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

First on our list is a classic children’s fantasy tale, The Polar Express. Chris Van Allsburg’s Christmas story recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. This timeless story follows a young boy lying awake one Christmas Eve.

He then hops on aboard a magical train to the North Pole, the Polar Express. The train makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish. This holiday story holds a special place in the hearts of those who believe in the spirit of Christmas.

Those who treasure the sound of a reindeer’s silver bell will always be present in the hearts of fans. It’s one of the things that makes it among the best fantasy story books perfect for children.

A special edition was published in 2015, celebrating the artistry of Chris Van Allsburg. A new jacket design and expanded interior layout was one of the inclusions in this special edition. It also includes an author’s note and downloadable audio read by Liam Neeson.  

Lizzie and Leopold by Patricia Gummeson

Speaking of Christmas, our second book on the list is one by Patricia Gummeson. Patricia Gummeson’s books are perfect for Christmas presents. Lizzie and Leopold is a short fantasy story that Patricia Gummeson published in 2017.

The illustrated book features the heartwarming friendship between her and her friends, Lizzie and Leopold. This 24-page children’s book takes readers to Lizzie and Leopold’s fantasy world, where they spent most of their time hanging out in a secret garden. Other books by Patricia Gummeson include Cecil and Cedric and the Crooked, Crickety Christmas Tree (2017), Charlie’s Cukoo Little Choo-Choo (2017), Regis and Reggie (2018), and Bonnie and Clyde (2019).

Patricia A. We recommend Gummeson’s book to children from age three years old and above.

The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant & Paola Escobar

The Hatmakers is an upcoming fantasy story by Tamzin Merchant and Paola Escobar (expected release is February 2021). This unique enchanting story features a family of milliners. Cordelia Hatmaker and her family make their living weaving alchemy and enchantment into different clothing items- hats, boots, gloves, cloaks, and watches.

This unique and ancient skill is known to them as Maker magic. When Cordelia’s father, Prospero, goes missing while hunting for some special hat ingredients, she sets on to find him. With an old family rivalry reviving, Cordelia must find her father and prevent a war from happening. The Hatmakers is Tamzin Merchant’s first work, and fans are all anticipating the release of this wonderful fantasy adventure.

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri

Dragons Love Tacos is 2012 New York Times bestselling fantasy book by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri. This hilarious and unforgettable short story is about dragons who love to eat tacos. The book narrates a story of the dragon’s love for chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, and teeny tiny tacos.

In this story, dragons appear to like tacos and will even appear at your party if you serve them tacos. Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. Salsas are mostly spicy, and if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa, it sure is trouble. Aside from Dragons Love Tacos, the tandem also published a couple of other short fantasy books, including Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel, El Chupacabras, High Five, Robo-Sauce, and Secret Pizza Party.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Originally published in 1963, Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are is a children’s picture book about Max, a young boy who is a bit mischievous. After dressing in his wolf costume and causing a mess in his household, Max is sent to bed without his supper. While in bed, Max’s room suddenly transforms into a jungle where he ends up sailing to an island where all the scary beasts live.

What follows next is an unforgettable adventure with all the animals on the island. The Wild Things Are has been translated into many languages, adapted into animation, and has sold over 19 million copies worldwide. The numbers alone reveal how renowned it is among fantasy story books perfect for children.

It is one of the most famous picture books and we are confident in recommending it to all children who love adventure stories.