by Angie Pollock

Created on: May 26, 2008   Last Updated: June 27, 2008

Fantasy books are wonderful for young children. They tell stories of time travel, fairies, mystical creatures like dragons and encourage children to build on their imaginations. Fantasy books are usually based on a convergence between something good and something bad, with the something good conquering the something bad. Some fantasy books are known to be controversal but many positive and imaginative characters that have been created are from fantasy books.

Some stories can be frightening for a child and we need to make sure the stories they read are age appropriate. With that said, we should give our children more credit that with guidance, they can learn the difference between reality and fantasy. What better way to teach this than through books.

From Mary Poppins to Dungeons and Dragons, fantasy can come in many forms. Because all children are different, parents should use their good judgment and personal beliefs on what fantasy books they feel are appropriate for their children. But to not allow a child to experience the creations in fantasy books would be closing a part of their brain that they yearn to explore.

Fantasy books can serve as a learning tool. If they are allowed to explore, they become more interested in the world around them like the solar system and even history. A child who reads Peter Pan may then show interest about the history of pirates. If a child experiences the story of Merlin the Magician, he or she may want to learn more about King Arthur and his Court.

Fantasy isn't just something created in books. Even if we took fantasy books away from children, they would create their own fantasies and imaginary friends in their minds. One of our all time favorites "Where the Wild Things Are" brings together Max and fearsome monsters. This book is a wonderful example of how a fantasy and a child's imagination go hand in hand.

However, this book has also had its critics. Parents are concerned that these frightening monsters may induce fear in their children. While the understanding of the book could be viewed differently from child to child, we must also remember that children perceive almost everything differently than adults.

To say fantasy books are inappropriate for children would be saying a child fighting imaginary dragons under his bed or a little girl dressing up as a fairy princess is inappropriate. An imagination is the most astounding gift a child can be blessed with.

If children are not allowed to discover the world of fantasy, how will they learn the difference between fact and fiction? If children are only allowed to read reality books, will they grow to believe that everything they face is real and there is nothing new to explore?

Fantasy books allow children to travel to enchanted places, look at fascinating characters and explore the world around them. If we were to take fantasy books away, it would be suppressing their imaginations.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge"-Albert Einstein

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