10+ Best Fantasy Books for 7-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect escape into magical realms for your young reader? Dive into our latest roundup of Fantasy Books for 7-Year-Olds, where imagination knows no bounds! From mystical creatures to adventurous quests, we've curated a variety of captivating stories that are sure to spark a love of reading. Keep reading to explore our enchanting lists of Fantasy Books for 7-Year-Olds and find the perfect match for your little adventurer!

Fun Fantasy Books for 7-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 grow out of his imagination, and Max sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It unleashes the power of imagination, showing kids that they can explore vast new worlds and emotions safely within the pages of a book.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers and any child who's ever felt misunderstood or wild.

• The Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne
  • Illustrator: Sal Murdocca
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Historical Fiction
  • Synopsis: Follows siblings Jack and Annie as they discover a magical tree house filled with books that transport them through time and space on various adventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces history and science through engaging, magical adventures, making learning fun and accessible.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds who love a mix of education with their adventures.

• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
  • Illustrator: Garth Williams
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Friendship
  • Synopsis: This beloved tale follows the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a wise spider named Charlotte, who concocts a plan to save her friend from being slaughtered.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches themes of friendship, loyalty, and the cycle of life, wrapped in gentle humor and profound emotional depth.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and young readers learning about the values of friendship and compassion.

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
  • Illustrator: Beatrix Potter
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Mischievous Peter Rabbit disobeys his mother's warnings and sneaks into Mr. McGregor's garden, leading to a series of adventures and misadventures.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the thrill of rebellion and the ensuing consequences, encouraging children to consider their actions.
  • Perfect for: Little explorers with a penchant for adventure and learning from their missteps.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
  • Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A clever mouse uses the threat of a terrifying creature called the Gruffalo to ward off predators, only to encounter the mythical beast itself.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun, rhyming story that teaches strategic thinking and the power of wit over brawn.
  • Perfect for: Creative thinkers and anyone who enjoys a good rhyme with a dash of humor.

• Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
  • Illustrator: E.H. Shepard
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: The adventures of Pooh Bear and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood, as they get into various scrapes and ponder the simpler things in life.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers timeless wisdom through Pooh's adventures, highlighting the importance of friendship and simplicity.
  • Perfect for: Young readers and anyone who appreciates the value of friendship and thoughtful reflection.

Educational Fantasy Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro
  • Illustrator: Marion Lindsay
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Science
  • Synopsis: Zoey discovers she can see magical creatures and uses science to help them with their problems. Her first challenge is a sick baby dragon.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific method, problem-solving, empathy
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines fantasy with science, encouraging critical thinking and compassion.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and animal lovers.

• The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
  • Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Princess Magnolia has a secret—she's also the Princess in Black, a superhero who fights monsters. This series opener introduces her double life and thrilling adventures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading confidence, problem-solving, understanding of dual identities
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks stereotypes with a princess who's also a superhero, blending empowerment with fun.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love fairy tales and superheroes.

• The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
  • Illustrator: Dan Santat
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Friendship
  • Synopsis: An imaginary friend, born on an island far away, sets off on a journey to find his human friend, discovering the real world and the meaning of friendship.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Emotional intelligence, creativity, friendship dynamics
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming story that celebrates the power of friendship and imagination.
  • Perfect for: Children who love imaginative play and making new friends.

• The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz
  • Illustrator: Angela Barrett
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Flory, a night fairy who loses her wings, must learn to survive in the daylight among the creatures of a garden.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Adaptability, resilience, ecological awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It features a strong, resourceful fairy protagonist and teaches about nature and adaptation.
  • Perfect for: Nature lovers and fans of strong female characters.

• The Miniature World of Marvin & James by Elise Broach
  • Illustrator: Kelly Murphy
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Friendship
  • Synopsis: Marvin the beetle lives a quiet life with his family under the kitchen sink until his best friend, a human boy named James, goes on vacation.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Friendship, perspective-taking, understanding of different worlds
  • Why we recommend this book: It explores themes of friendship across different species and perspectives, packed with adventure and heart.
  • Perfect for: Those who enjoy stories of unlikely friendships and miniature worlds.

Challenging Fantasy Books for 7-Year-Olds

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • Illustrator: Sir John Tenniel
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Young Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a fantastical world where she encounters various magical creatures and perplexing puzzles.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative is filled with complex wordplay, logic puzzles, and philosophical ideas.
  • Why we recommend this book: It stretches the imagination and introduces children to sophisticated literary techniques in a fun setting.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy puzzles and whimsical stories.

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
  • Illustrator: Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Bored young Milo receives a mysterious tollbooth and drives through it in his toy car, entering a world of adventure and discovery.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a rich use of language, puns, and a complex narrative structure that challenges conventional thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages critical thinking and creativity through its clever play on words and ideas.
  • Perfect for: Intellectual kids who love word games and creative problem-solving.

• The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Three siblings, Joe, Beth, and Frannie, move to the countryside and discover an enchanted wood and a magical tree called the Faraway Tree.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces a vast array of characters and magical lands, each with its own rules and adventures, providing a complex narrative.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gateway to classic fantasy, sparking imagination with its magical worlds and myriad creatures.
  • Perfect for: Adventurous kids who dream of exploring magical worlds.

• 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 and her brothers.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of maturity, innocence, and fear of growing up, woven into a fantastical narrative.
  • Why we recommend this book: It tackles deep themes in a magical context, allowing children to explore complex emotions and scenarios.
  • Perfect for: Those who love adventure and the idea of a never-ending childhood.

• The Borrowers by Mary Norton
  • Illustrator: Diana Stanley
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Tiny people known as "Borrowers" live secretly in the walls and floors of an English house and survive by "borrowing" items from humans.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features intricate details about the miniature world of the Borrowers, challenging young readers to imagine life from a very different perspective.
  • Why we recommend this book: It fosters creativity and a sense of wonder about the unseen world, enhancing imaginative thinking.
  • Perfect for: Kids who marvel at the idea of hidden worlds coexisting with our own.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-year-old dive into the magical world of fantasy books while developing strong reading habits, here are some fun and engaging exercises to get them started. These exercises are not only enjoyable but also instrumental in enhancing their reading skills.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a special, cozy corner dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Encourages regular reading by providing a comfortable and inviting space.
  • Tips: Let your child personalize the nook with their favorite cushions, lights, or decorations.

• Story Map Drawing
  • What it is: Draw a map based on the settings of the fantasy story.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps in visualizing the story’s world.
  • Tips: Use colors and symbols to mark significant places from the story.

• Character Dress-Up
  • What it is: Dress up as a favorite character from the book.
  • How it helps: Deepens connection with the characters and enhances imaginative play.
  • Tips: Plan a small performance where they can act out their favorite scene from the book.

• Reading Relay
  • What it is: Take turns reading a book aloud with your child.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and builds confidence in reading out loud.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make it more fun.

• Book-Based Treasure Hunt
  • What it is: Create a treasure hunt with clues based on the story.
  • How it helps: Encourages recall and comprehension as they remember details from the book.
  • Tips: Hide small treats or tokens as treasures around the house or yard.

• Magic Word Jar
  • What it is: Write down new or interesting words from the book on pieces of paper and keep them in a jar.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and makes learning new words exciting.
  • Tips: Occasionally pick words from the jar and use them in sentences together.

By incorporating these exercises into your child’s reading routine, you’re not only making reading fun but also fostering a lifelong love for books. Remember, the key is to keep the activities light and enjoyable, so they always look forward to their reading time. Happy reading!