10+ Best Fantasy Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect bedtime stories to spark your little one’s imagination? Look no further than our curated selection of fantasy books for 5-year-olds! These enchanting tales are just the ticket to whisk your kids away to lands filled with magic, adventure, and whimsical characters. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that are sure to captivate the hearts and minds of young dreamers everywhere.

Fun Fantasy Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max, dressed in a wolf suit, makes mischief and is sent to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious wild forest and sea appear, and he sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It unleashes the imagination through its captivating illustrations and simple yet profound narrative, showing kids the power of creativity and the comfort of home.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and dreamers who enjoy a mix of mischief and fantasy.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
  • Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A mouse walks through the woods and encounters several dangerous animals. To avoid being eaten, the mouse invents a monster called the Gruffalo... only to meet the real Gruffalo later on.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a clever tale that teaches strategic thinking and the importance of quick wit, all wrapped up in rhythmic prose that's fun to read aloud.
  • Perfect for: Clever kids who love stories where the underdog comes out on top.

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
  • Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A kind witch and her cat fly happily on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch’s hat, bow, and wand. They retrieve the items with the help of various animals who ask for a ride on the broom.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes themes of friendship and sharing, and the rhythmic, repetitive text makes it a joy to read out loud.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about teamwork and magical adventures.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Illustrator: Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: This story follows the mischievous Peter Rabbit, who disobeys his mother by sneaking into Mr. McGregor's garden and almost gets caught.
  • Why we recommend this book: The book captures the thrill of mischief and the ensuing consequences, which can help instill a sense of responsibility.
  • Perfect for: Youngsters who enjoy playful trouble and learning valuable life lessons through stories.

• Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
  • Illustrator: E.H. Shepard
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The adventures of Winnie the Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood, as they engage in various escapades and ponder life's simple pleasures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's filled with heartwarming stories that explore themes of friendship, simplicity, and the joys of just being.
  • Perfect for: Children who love animals and exploring the magical aspects of everyday life.

Educational Fantasy Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen
  • Illustrator: Lauren Child
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Fairy Tale
  • Synopsis: The story of a prince searching for a true princess to marry. One stormy night, a young woman seeks shelter in the prince's castle, claiming to be a princess. A test involving a pea and several mattresses is devised to prove her royal identity.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, problem-solving, understanding of narrative structure
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful and whimsical fairy tale that introduces children to classic storytelling and the concept of testing truth in a fun way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fairy tales and whimsical stories.

• The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
  • Illustrator: Loren Long
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A small train engine proves its worth by pulling a heavy train over a mountain while repeating its motto: "I think I can, I think I can."
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Perseverance, resilience, self-confidence
  • Why we recommend this book: This story teaches children the value of optimism and hard work in a very engaging and memorable way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who need encouragement to overcome challenges.

• The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
  • Illustrator: William Nicholson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Philosophy
  • Synopsis: The story of a stuffed rabbit and his desire to become real through the love of his owner.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, love, understanding of emotions
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores deep themes of love and existence in a simple, touching way that resonates with young minds.
  • Perfect for: Children who are sensitive or dealing with feelings of belonging and reality.

• The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
  • Illustrator: Marcus Pfister
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Social Skills
  • Synopsis: A beautiful fish learns to make friends by sharing his most prized possessions, his shimmering scales.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Sharing, social interactions, self-worth
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a visually stunning book that offers a valuable lesson on the joy and importance of sharing with others.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are learning the value of friendship and sharing.

• The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks by Joanna Cole
  • Illustrator: Bruce Degen
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Educational
  • Synopsis: Ms. Frizzle takes her class on a magical journey through the city's waterworks to learn how water is cleaned and used.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Science, understanding of environmental processes
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fantasy with education, making learning about science fun and engaging for young children.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who have an interest in science and how things work.

Challenging Fantasy Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • Illustrator: John Tenniel
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Follow Alice as she falls down a rabbit hole and lands in a fantastical world with peculiar creatures and endless surprises.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex word play, logic puzzles, and sophisticated themes that go beyond simple fairy tale narratives.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages imagination and critical thinking, allowing children to explore a world where the rules of the real world do not apply.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy puzzles and thinking outside the box.

• The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
  • Illustrator: Roberto Innocenti
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Classic
  • Synopsis: The wooden puppet Pinocchio comes to life with dreams of becoming a real boy, but he must prove himself worthy by making good choices.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative explores themes of morality, consequence, and personal growth, which are advanced concepts for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches important life lessons through adventures and misadventures, emphasizing the value of honesty and hard work.
  • Perfect for: Children who are ready to start discussing right and wrong and the consequences of their actions.

• Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
  • Illustrator: F.D. Bedford
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The story of Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn't grow up, and his adventures in the magical world of Neverland with Wendy, John, and Michael Darling.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes of maturity, innocence, and fear of growing up, layered within a fantastical narrative.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of childhood wonder and the bittersweet nature of growing up.
  • Perfect for: Kids who cherish their childhood and are fascinated by the idea of an adventure in a magical land.

• The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
  • Illustrator: Hugh Lofting
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: Dr. John Dolittle, who shuns human patients in favor of animals, discovers he can communicate with them and sets off on a series of whimsical adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: It incorporates sophisticated vocabulary and ethical dilemmas, providing a platform for advanced readers to enhance their literacy and moral reasoning.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes empathy towards animals and teaches about the responsibilities of caring for others.
  • Perfect for: Young animal lovers and those interested in stories about communication and understanding different perspectives.

• The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame
  • Illustrator: Ernest H. Shepard
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: In this gentle parody of dragon lore, a boy befriends a peaceful, poetry-loving dragon, but the townsfolk call for a hero to slay it, leading to a clever and humorous resolution.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story plays with traditional tropes and introduces irony and satire, concepts that require a higher level of cognitive engagement from young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun twist on the typical dragon story that encourages peaceful conflict resolution and the questioning of stereotypes.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy humor and stories that turn expectations on their head.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! Are you looking for ways to make reading fantasy books more engaging for your 5-year-old? Incorporating some fun reading exercises can really help develop their love for reading and improve their comprehension skills. Here’s a list of exercises tailored just for little fantasy book lovers!

• Create a Story Map
  • What it is: Draw a map based on the settings and locations described in the story.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of the story’s setting and stimulates spatial thinking.
  • Tips: Use colorful markers and stickers to make the mapping more exciting and visually appealing.

• Character Puppet Show
  • What it is: Make simple puppets to represent characters in the book.
  • How it helps: Helps in character recall and boosts imaginative play.
  • Tips: Use socks or paper bags and craft supplies for puppet creation and then enact scenes from the book.

• Magic Word Jar
  • What it is: Write down new or interesting words from the story on pieces of paper and keep them in a jar.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and makes learning new words fun.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to use these words in sentences or tell you the meaning during the week.

• Draw and Tell
  • What it is: After reading, the child draws a scene from the book and explains what’s happening.
  • How it is: Encourages retention and comprehension of the story.
  • Tips: Provide them with plenty of drawing materials and ask open-ended questions to guide their explanation.

• Role Play Reading
  • What it is: Take turns reading the book aloud, with each person playing different characters.
  • How it helps: Improves reading fluency and helps in understanding different perspectives.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the reading session more engaging.

These exercises aren't just about reading; they're about making reading a dynamic and interactive experience. By engaging in these activities, your child not only improves their reading skills but also their love for stories grows. So, pick up that enchanting fantasy book and let the magical journey begin!