Dragons that speak, woods that murmur, and lands you can go into with just a flip of a page, fantasy makes being young seem endless. It can grab a kid’s hand and take them to the places unknown and full of exhilarating adventures. A place where castles rise above the clouds. Where animals speak in voices you can almost hear. Where the smallest hero can change the fate of a kingdom.
These tales go beyond just fun. They mold kids’ minds and hearts. They unlock bravery, warmth, and a lasting love for books. Studies find that kids who dive into fantasy grow better at solving problems and understanding others. Make-believe places push them to think past what’s in front of them and trust in what could be..
This year has brought a wave of new tales worth adding to any shelf. I have chosen the ones that feel alive. The ones that will hold a child’s attention until the last page. This list of fantasy books for kids is not ordinary. Every title has its own spark. All you need to do is turn the first page.
Why Fantasy Books for Kids Are Important
A great made-up tale does more than just keep us happy. It can light a fire in a kid’s mind that stays bright long after they stop reading. When kids go into lands of magic, they start to dream, ask things, and see things in new ways. These are things no class alone can show.
The top books for kids weave in boldness, friends, and hope into their tales. They show young ones hard things that feel real, even in places far away. For kids ages 10 to 12, these tales help them as they start to stand on their own more.
Some of the best memories of being young come from times when someone read out loud: a mom, dad, or teacher telling a story about dragons or secret doors. A single book or a series of books makes us want to know more and keep going. Reading turns from a must-do into a fun ride.
A well-thought-out list of books or the right pick of chapter tales guides a young one to stories that do more than make them smile; they bring hope. In the right hands, a fantasy tale is more than just words. It turns into a friend for life.
How We Chose the Top Fantasy Books for Kids in 2025
Selecting the right titles for this list was not guesswork. Each book was read, discussed, and measured against clear criteria. We looked for stories that felt alive on the page, with characters children could care about and worlds they would want to return to. The goal was to find the best fantasy books for kids that combine entertainment with substance.
We paid attention to pacing, ensuring even the longer chapter books kept momentum. For fantasy books for kids 10–12, we sought plots with deeper themes, encouraging thought without losing the magic. For younger readers, we considered how well a story could hold attention during read aloud moments, an important factor for family or classroom reading.
Illustrations, when present, were valued for how they enhanced the storytelling. We also chose a mix of standalones and book series, so this book list offers both quick adventures and longer journeys. In the end, every title here earns its place for being more than a story. At last, each book here gets its spot for being more than just a tale. These are fantasy books that stay in a kid’s imagination, shaping how they view both worlds of make-believe and the real one.
How We Chose the Top Fantasy Books for Kids in 2025
Every book here was picked with love. Each one was read from start to end, noting how it held and kept the mind’s eye. The goal was to make a list of best fantasy books for kids that look new yet classic.
For fantasy books for kids ages 10-12, we went for more in-depth tales. These stories can take on big ideas but still be fun. For younger kids, we looked for books that make reading out loud a time to remember, pulling kids in with each part.
We put in both one-off stories and series, making this book list mix short trips and long stories. Each book also met our need for a good pace; even the longer books had to keep interest from the start to the last page.
The end result is a set of books for kids that go past just magic acts and mythical animals. These stories leave a deep mark, shaping how a kid dreams and views the world.
Top 10 Best New Fantasy Books for Kids in 2025
1. The Clockmaker’s Dragon by Eliza Thorne (2025)
In a quiet town, an apprentice finds a delicate clockwork dragon in an old workshop. Its heart has stopped, and repairing it feels urgent, like restoring hope itself.
Age Group: 9–12, chapter book
Why it stands out: It weaves friendship with inventive steampunk charm that lingers. Standalone.
2. Starweaver Academy: The Skybound Trials by Marcus Hale (2025)
A girl earns a place at a school that lets students mold constellations into shields. When the stars fade, she must rise above fear and weave her courage.
Age Group: fantasy books for kids 10–12, begins a book series
Why it stands out: Cosmic magic meets brave hearts in a story that feels endless.
3. The Whispering Grove by Amina Clarke (2025)
A child’s name drifts through a forbidden forest, calling him to a hidden realm beneath the roots, where magic waits in quiet places.
Age Group: 8–10, perfect for read aloud or early independent reading
Why it stands out: Gentle mystery and nature-based wonder make bedtime reading feel sacred. Standalone.
4. The Lantern Fox by Hiro Tanaka (2025)
In a moonlit forest, a lost girl meets a fox spirit who demands riddles in exchange for safe passage. She has until dawn to prove herself—or stay lost forever.
Age Group: 7–9, illustrated chapter book or read aloud
Why it stands out: Folklore and mischief wrap together in lyrical simplicity. Standalone.
5. Oceanborn: Song of the Deep by Isla Montrose (2025)
After a shipwreck, siblings wash ashore on a hidden island and discover they are heirs to an underwater realm. Their voices stir currents and awaken slumbering whales.
Age Group: fantasy books for kids 10–12, first in a book series
Why it stands out: Emotion and oceanic action blend into something unforgettable.
6. Bramble and the Sky Riders by Devon Marsh (2025)
A stablehand dreams of flight and lands inside a runaway skyship. Together with offbeat companions, he races above kingdoms in need of a hero.
Age Group: 9–12, chapter book
Why it stands out: Underdog charm and aerial adventure elevate the spirit. Standalone.
7. The Candle Thief by Priya Sen (2025)
In a city where each candle holds the brightest memory, a young thief steals the queen’s flame. She steps through dreams to return what she has taken.
Age Group: 8–10, lovely as read aloud or solo reading
Why it stands out: An imaginative twist on memory and magic that stays warm. Standalone.
8. The Griffin’s Map by Owen Radcliffe (2025)
An orphan girl finds a glowing map guarded by a grumpy griffin. Each map reading opens a door to another world—and a chance to find her long-lost brother.
Age Group: fantasy books for kids 10–12, part of a book series
Why it stands out: Clever banter and endless worlds spark curiosity and heart.
9. Moonlight Circus by Clara Voss (2025)
A circus that rises only under the lunar eclipse hides portals to strange and dazzling realms. Two friends sneak in and realize magic can come disguised as sideshow wonders.
Age Group: 8–10, perfect for read aloud
Why it stands out: Eerie charm and whimsy dance beautifully in this enchanting tale. Standalone.
10. Thornspell Hollow by Jude Barrett (2025)
A village trapped in unending winter waits for break of the spell. A brave girl and a reclusive sorcerer join hands to melt the frost before it claims everything.
Age Group: fantasy books for kids 10–12, chapter book
Why it stands out: Cold, courage, and healing warmth blend into a satisfying tale. Standalone.
Tips for Choosing the Right Fantasy Books for Kids
- Choosing the best fantasy book can light up a kid’s love for reading. Not all books are right for every kid, so think about these things before you put one on their bookshelf.
Check reading level: Make sure the words and how long the sentences are fit the kid’s age. A book that’s too hard might make reading not fun for them. Look at what they like: Some kids love magic creatures, others like new world adventures, and some are into fun school tales. Search for good messages: Fantasy can teach kids to be kind, brave, and how to fix problems in a cool way, not like a boring lesson. Mix talking and action: Kids might get bored if a story is too slow. Pick books with a nice mix of talking, doing, and setting creation. Read reviews and look at awards: What parents and teachers say, and book prizes can lead you to good stuff. Consider if it’s a series: If a kid likes one book, books in a series can keep them reading for a long time.
Where to Find These Books
You can spot Fantasy Books for Kids in more spots than you might guess. Libraries are full of old and new good reads. Lots of librarians pick out cool kids’ fantasy books, making it easy to choose. Web stores have many books, from hot hits to rare ones, and let you look at reviews before you buy.
Town bookshops often show books loved by locals that you may not find on the web. Try used book stores for past hits that are still loved. For those who like digital, eBook sites and audiobooks are great, great for trips or bedtime tales.
Ending Thoughts:
When a child reads fantasy books, their mind sees no limits. Such tales grow their dreams, their heart, and ways to fix things, all the while giving life to the fun of tales. The wonder-filled lands they roam in these books could fuel their creative thoughts and questions for all of their days. As moms, dads, and teachers, steering them to good, right-for-their-age tales can light up their love for reading, one that lasts always..
Now, it’s up to you to drop names of your best fantasy books for kids right here below. Your ideas may start a kid on their most exciting journey yet.