Magical Chapter Books to Introduce 6- to 8-Year-Olds to Fantasy
by Dena McMurdie
My kids love reading fantasy novels and will happily get lost in a long series for days or weeks at a time. However, when learning to read independently, my kids often felt intimidated by the 400+ page tomes and complex plots they found in fantasy books. Thankfully, many wonderful early chapter books bridge the gap for young fantasy lovers. These books feature a smaller page count, simpler plots, larger text, and illustrations on almost every page.
If you want to introduce your child to the wild and magical world of fantasy novels, these early chapter books are an excellent place to start.
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Star Friends Series
Available from:I bought the first book in this series because my daughter liked the fox on the cover, and I’m glad I did. She fell in love with this series and devoured the entire 10-book (and counting!) collection. It’s about a group of friends who bond with magical forest animals and can access their abilities. Together, they tackle the mysterious dark forces threatening their town.
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Diary of an Accidental Witch Series
Available from:When Bea’s dad accidentally enrolls her in a school for witches, she gets a much different education than she expected. Whether exploring a haunted house or competing in a magic tournament, Bea tackles every new experience with humor and heart.
RELATED: Fractured Fairy Tales for Young Readers
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Disney Bibbidi Bobbidi Academy Series
Available from:Disney fans will love this magic-filled series set at Bibbidi Bobbidi Academy — a school for aspiring fairy godparents. Each book follows a different student at the Academy as they learn to cast spells, earn wand sparkles, fend off pirates, and adopt a pet dragon.
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Oona Bramblegoop's Sideways Magic Series
Available from:Magic and humor combine in this highly readable fantasy series. Oona Bramblegoop is a new fairy, and each day brings new misadventures. Sideways spells, magical safety underwear, nosy humans, and a gold thief are just a few of the things Oona deals with in this giggle-worthy series.
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Dragon Storm Series
Available from:Kids in this age group love reading about dragons, and this series delivers! Young dragon summoners join the Guild, where they bond with a magical dragon and tackle threats to their hidden kingdom. Whether it’s a missing dragon, a powerful gem, or a stranger intent on ruining a maze tournament, each book offers an exciting exploit for young readers.
RELATED: The Best Dragon Books for Kids
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Unicorn Academy Series
Available from:At Unicorn Academy, every girl gets to befriend a unicorn. Each title in this series features a different girl and her escapades at the Academy. From planning unicorn birthday parties to finding cures to magical maladies, the girls and unicorns tackle each challenge that comes their way.
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Magic Tree House Merlin Missions Series
Available from:Magic Tree House fans will also enjoy this companion series, which has a stronger fantasy element. Join Jack and Annie as the tree house sends them on magical trips through time and space. The siblings search for an emerald to break a spell, find leprechauns in Ireland, and come face-to-face with dragons in Japan.
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Disney: The Never Girls Series
Available from:Send your young reader on an unforgettable adventure in Never Land with this bestselling fantasy series! Four friends have their wishes granted when they get whisked away to the legendary world where they befriend mermaids, meet Peter Pan, and search for missing fairies. They also bring fairy magic to the real world to help them with bake sales and volleyball matches, among other things.
RELATED: Super Magical Fairy Books for Kids
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Minecraft Stonesword Saga Series
Available from:My kids are obsessed with these official Minecraft novels and will read several in a day. Readers take a deep dive into the game’s world and tackle challenges like potion-wielding witches, broken code, and golems on an obstacle course. Humor and action make this series a must-read for any young Minecrafter.
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