In a time long ago, when the world was fresh and wild, there was a land that remained unchanged by time. The nights were filled with the calls of nature—owls calling, wolves crying, and leaves rustling as nighttime creatures moved around. This created the perfect backdrop for a major clash, one that would determine the fate of the tribes and the essence of their world… Does this feel familiar? Step into a fantasy realm! However, we are looking for something unique and desire something fresh!

In contemporary society, people are more accepting of fantasy stories than in the past, especially among younger audiences who have many tales to explore. Famous characters like mermaids, represented by Disney’s Ariel, and dwarfs from Snow White, are breaking old stereotypes. In online fan activities, the mixed nature of mermaids is often highlighted, using a popular method that combines classic mermaid traits with those of other well-known fantasy characters. For instance, in the early 1960s, British children’s fantasy regularly favoured real-life locations, mostly in rural or suburban areas. Realist authors mainly wrote about inner cities. The main child characters were usually white and from middle-class backgrounds, often depicted as holiday visitors or new residents. (Butler, 2012, 19) It is to be hoped that this trend has shifted, allowing children to experience a greater number of plot twists.

Moreover, using fictional stories in early childhood education is based on the belief that fantasy characters and talking animals engage children’s attention more successfully, resulting in improved learning results. It is also essential to recognize and cultivate the interests of children, as these can provide a solid basis for their reading development. Influenced by realistic young adult fiction, many children’s fantasy stories depict characters experiencing significant emotional growth or life changes through the fantastic. Frequently featuring characters with supernatural abilities, these stories pave the way for sequels and series, a trend amplified by the success of Harry Potter.

Currently, the integration of comics and graphic novels plays a vital role, as these mediums improve visual understanding and foster engagement. For example, “Hilda and the Troll” by Luke Pearson is a series of comic books is aimed primarily at children, even if it can be enjoyed by adults as well. The narratives are inspired by traditional Scandinavian folklore and set in a parallel world inhabited by fantastical beings.

Overall, Diana Wynne Jones, Terry Pratchett, and J.K. Rowling create enchanting young reader’s narratives that captivate and invite readers into imaginative fantasy worlds. Their works go beyond entertainment, offering a framework to understand the real world, challenge societal norms, envision alternatives, and foster a sense of agency. (Webb, 2014, 143) However, modern fantasy goes beyond traditional elements like elves and dragons, continuously evolving to create innovative realms with unique myths, fantastical beings in urban settings, and female warriors balancing coffee shop life with extraordinary adventures. Fantasy literature encountered during childhood serves as a significant catalyst for a reader’s developmental journey, rich with vivid emotions, profound reflections, and invaluable life lessons that resemble treasures concealed within the pages of these narratives.

Reference list

Cover image Disneyland Paris: Yelyzaveta Oleksiuk

Butler, C. (2012). Modern Children’s Fantasy. In: The Cambridge Companion to Fantasy Literature. [online] Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, p.19. Available at: https://www.proquest.com/docview/2137996019/5FBBAD15083E4F6BPQ/19?accountid=16607&sourcetype=Books [Accessed 16 Oct. 2024].

De Gomery, Anissa. (2024) ‘What’s next for YA?’ Bookseller Children’s Conference. [online] [Accessed 30/09/2024]

Eyre, C. (2020). Nobrow lines up three further Hilda adventures as Netflix adaptation enters second series. [online] The Bookseller. Available at: https://www.thebookseller.com/news/newsnobrow-lines-three-further-hilda-adventures-netflix-adaptation-enters-second-series-1223810 [Accessed 15 Oct. 2024].

   Justyna Deszcz-Tryhubczak and Macarena García-González (2023). Children’s Cultures after Childhood. [online] Amsterdam / Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company, p.23. Available at: https://www.jbe-platform.com/docserver/fulltext/9789027249593.pdf?expires=1729254731&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=8DF80399799A1B4C8FE3B93CAF48C8BC [Accessed 17 Oct. 2024].

Webb, C. (2014). Fantasy and the Real World in British Children’s Literature. [online] Routledge, p.143. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/napier/reader.action?docID=1783996 [Accessed 15 Oct. 2024].