Best Fantasy Book Gifts for Kids (Ages 7–12) ✨📚

Hi Lil’ but Mighty Readers! The season is one of the best seasons to catch up on our TBR list, but it is also the best time to share the joy of reading with the people whom we love! I’m Ms Junisa from Lil’ but Mighty Yio Chu Kang, and in this video, I am sharing with you A Magical, Whimsical, Fantastical Book Gift Guide for your loved ones.

For these book recommendations, we are delving into the realm of magic and impossibilities. These genres invite readers into extraordinary worlds and whisk them away on a mystical adventure.

7-8-year-olds

Firstly, I am sharing 2 series that are suited for 7-8-year-olds. The first book is for emerging readers who love fairytales with a twist. The Horsetail Hollow series follows a pair of sisters, Maddie & Evie. Maddie loves horses, and Evie loves fairytales.
When the sisters discover a wishing well near their house, the unexpected happens. The wishing well is an actual one that has the power to make wishes come true. But when the well mixes up the sisters’ wishes by bringing Cinderella’s horse, Major, into the real world, they find themselves in a fairytale quest to return the princess’s trusty steed back to their magical
kingdom. This series offers rich imagination where young readers get to discover how the magical realm and real world get intertwined, and they can judge for themselves if it is a good thing or not.

The words in this book are fairly large, and the story progresses at a comfortable pace. The storyline is approachable, making it a perfect book for an emerging reader to tuck into. The next book is also a series for emerging readers who are still keen in the fantasy genre but with a little bit of science fiction. The Magic Tree House series features a magical tree house that works like a time machine that transports a pair of siblings, Jack and Annie, through time and space to learn about historical events, mythical places, and different ecosystems. They embark on adventures to complete extraordinary quests while learning about the real world around them.

9-10-year-olds

Now I’m moving on to the next age group, for readers aged 9 to 10. Fantasy and magical genres for this age group get a little bit more complex as the events have more character and plot development to them. Therefore, the books are a little but more dense as readers delve into the events that unfold in the novels. The Wings of Fire series features five young dragons. Each series expands on one dragon and how it fulfils its prophecy, navigating through their world that is filled with conflict and how it finds peaceful resolutions. The series also explores themes such as dragonhood and friendship, discovering one’s strengths and identity. In addition, look at how gorgeous these books are. They make such a great collector’s item or a gift for an avid reader.

11-12-year-olds

The next series is for the advanced readers, aged 11-12 year-olds, who enjoy following the characters in their magical journey through mythical kingdoms. The Land of Stories series features twins Alex and Conner, to hang on to hope and resilience as they navigate through every dark turn. As they grow, the twins discover courage, empathy, and the weight of their own choices and wishes. Through vibrant storytelling and boundless imagination, the narrative gives a refreshing take on classic fairy-tale battles of good and evil. Overall, the book introduces a coming-of-age story of self-discovery, recognising one’s power, and realising that no matter how far adventure takes them, there’s truly no place like home. These series are fast-paced, highly gripping, and tremendously addictive. Readers who are hooked by the storylines will find it hard to put the book down.

Last but not least, I am sharing with you these two books that are a part of the Studio Ghibli franchise: Howl’s Moving Castle and Kiki’s Delivery Service. The storylines in these two books offer an enchanting story and coming-of-age wisdom. These two choices do not take on the fairytale trope; however, it still offers an otherworldly realm that is filled with magical beasts and whimsical objects. Furthermore, the main characters also progress through the story by completing quests and discovering new and meaningful friendships along the way.

These two stories reveal themes about self-discovery, finding courage and independence, and learning to accept oneself from within. The protagonists in both stories share a common characteristic, which is optimism to overcome their challenges. At the end of these stories, readers get to discover the protagonist’s character development, growth, and bravery.

Together, these books make a delightful pairing. They both embrace magic, feature strong yet relatable young heroines, and encourage readers to believe in themselves. Whether shared aloud or devoured independently, they’re bound to leave young imaginations glowing. Finding the right book feels a little bit like magic, and that’s exactly what makes exploring new recommendations so rewarding. Each book offers readers a chance to step into a different world and return just a bit changed.

I hope you enjoyed the book recommendations, and I wish you all happy reading! Keep sharing the joy of reading with your friends and family, and have a happy holiday!