by Joan Inong

Created on: June 22, 2009

Fantasy stories, which have been around since the beginning of literature, help stir the imaginations of children. If we categorize all types of mythologies and legends under fantasy stories, then children should be allowed to read fantasy books.

When we discuss children's fantasy books, the "Harry Potter" series is perhaps what comes to mind. Innocent, delicately written, and easy to understand, the "Harry Potter" books are accessible to children. No one has to explain why Harry has a wand and why there is magic in the story. Children love supernatural themes. Is it right or fair to deny children such a pleasure? Some parents will argue that fantasy books do nothing but corrupt children's minds. If it is called "fantasy," then can children relate to what isn't reality?

Children, however, have minds that are less tainted than adults' minds. In that sense, we can understand why children have such vivid imaginations. For instance, if a child has an imaginary friend, usually we allow that child to continue "having" that imaginary friend. On the other hand, if the child depends too much on that imaginary friend, and that friend has become the child's only social outlet, then we begin to tell the child that he should make other friends. The imagination's influence on reality has its limits.

We can treat fantasy books in a similar fashion. We can allow children to read this type of book because they can be in worlds apart from their own. Children then realize that they can use their imagination to get away from reality. Except, however, we must teach them that the imagination can only do so in certain circumstances. For instance, it isn't good to ignore reality when reality calls for responsibility. This is, perhaps, the only complaint that people make about fantasy books. If children start believing in fantasy too much, then they will forget about reality. This just is not true, for the most part. Most children will be simply caught up by the plot as they read it, but then return to reality once they put the book down.

Fantasy books are just like any other books, for fiction novels are, generally speaking, versions of fancy and fantasy, too. If many children enjoy fantasy books, then they should be allowed to read them. As a result, perhaps the literary rates will increase when children are allowed to read what interests them. If they want to read about imaginary worlds and supernatural characters, then we should let them do so. We cannot deny a pleasure that has been enjoyed by many children since the beginnings of literary tradition.

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