Fantasy facts for kids

Illustration by Virginia Frances Sterrett: illustrator of Arabian Nights (1928)

Fantasy is a type of fiction, which means it's a story that isn't real. These stories often include magic, supernatural powers, or creatures that don't exist in our world. Fantasy stories can take you to amazing places, like faraway lands or even completely different worlds.

Sometimes, fantasy stories happen in a world that looks a lot like ours but has hidden magic. Other times, they are set in entirely new places, like Middle-earth from The Lord of the Rings or Narnia. While many fantasy stories are about knights, dragons, and old castles, some also mix in advanced technology, like in Star Wars. Fantasy can even be part of historical stories, if magic plays a role.

What Makes a Story Fantasy?

Fantasy stories usually have special ingredients that make them unique. These can include:

• Magic: Characters might cast spells, use magical items, or have special powers. Magic is often a main part of how the story unfolds.
• Supernatural Creatures: You might find dragons, unicorns, elfs, dwarfs, giants, or other mythical beings.
• Other Worlds: Many fantasy tales take place in imaginary lands with their own rules, geography, and history. These worlds can be very detailed and feel real to the reader.
• Good vs. Evil: Often, there's a clear struggle between heroes and villains, or between forces of good and evil.
• Quests and Adventures: Characters often go on long journeys to achieve a goal, like finding a magical item or defeating a dark lord.

Different Types of Fantasy Stories

Fantasy is a huge genre with many different styles. Here are a few common types:

• High Fantasy: These stories are usually set in completely invented worlds, often with complex histories and many characters. They often involve epic battles and a clear fight between good and evil. The Lord of the Rings is a great example.
• Urban Fantasy: This type mixes magic and mythical creatures into our modern, real world. Imagine a wizard living next door or a vampire running a coffee shop in a big city.
• Fairy Tales: These are traditional stories, often passed down through generations, that feature magic, talking animals, and moral lessons. Think of stories like "Cinderella" or "Jack and the Beanstalk."
• Mythic Fantasy: This type draws inspiration from mythology and folklore from different cultures. It might retell old myths or create new stories using mythical elements.
• Dark Fantasy: These stories often have a darker, more serious tone, sometimes with elements of horror. They might explore the darker side of magic or human nature.

Why People Love Fantasy

People enjoy fantasy for many reasons. It allows them to escape to new worlds and imagine possibilities beyond everyday life. Reading or watching fantasy can spark creativity and encourage us to think about big ideas like courage, friendship, and justice. It's a genre that lets storytellers build entire universes and explore deep themes through exciting adventures.

Images for kids

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  Skeleton Fantasy Show (骷髏幻戲圖) by Li Song (1190–1264)

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  Another illustration from The Violet Fairy Book (1906)

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  Illustration from 1920 edition of George MacDonald's novel The Princess and the Goblin