Ready to have a fantastic day? Add a little magic to it and read one of these wonderful fantasy books today! I've put together a short list of book recommendations from my own personal experience as well as some recommended by friends (with good taste, of course). I present to you 12 great fantasy books for your enjoyment!
1. "The Glass Slipper" by Eleanor Farjeon
"The Glass Slipper" is a poetic and whimsical retelling of the Cinderella fairytale complete with singing and magic spells. The silly Zany will keep you thoroughly entertained by his funny little antics and heart of gold, sure to bring a smile to your face!
2. "Beauty" by Robin McKinley
"Beauty" is the story of the "Beauty and The Beast" as never told before. In this version we get to see a little more into the home life of our heroine Honour and her sisters. It only makes the parting to the Beast's castle all the more difficult. McKinley adds a depth to the story that is unheard of, as well a a mystery whispered between Honour's invisible handmaidens.
3. "The Box of Delights" by John Masefield
You might say this book is delightful. Young Kay returns home from boarding school for the holidays and befriends a Punch and Judy man, the keeper of a mysterious little box which grants one who possesses it with various magical powers. Kay embarks on many adventures after the man entrusts the box to his care, to be protected from a shadowing gang who would possess it.
4. "Nicobobinus" by Terry Jones
"Nicobobinus" is a miraculous tale of happenstance and misadventure! The boy, Nicobobinus, and his friend Rosie go off in search of the land of the dragons to seek help. Nicobobinus' foot and hand have been turned to solid gold and only the dragons can change it back. Or can they? Would he even get the chance to ask for help? After all, dragons are known to eat little boys now and then.
5. "The Whipping Boy" by Sid Fleischman
Poor Jemmy-from-the-streets was plucked from the streets to become Prince Brat's whipping boy, an unfortunate line of work in the castle. Prince Brat, as the common people call him, lives up to his name, preforming all manner of mean-spirited mischief. That is, until once night when he wakes Jemmy from his sleep and announces his intention to run away. What could be worse: running away with the prince or actually becoming his friend?
6. "Neverwhere" by Neil Gaiman
Life never leads you where you expect it to. Richard Mayhew helps a wounded girl on the street and finds himself on a terrifying adventure in the dark and magical underground world of London's streets. How can this dull businessman find his way about? Can he ever dream of going home again? In recent news, "Neverwhere" is now a radio series being produced by the BBC.
7. "The Nutcracker" by E.T.A. Hoffmann
We're all familiar with the "Nutcracker" ballet, but the book is not quite the same. In the original German tale, the themes are much harsher and less sugar-coated. Poor Marie is called a liar by all to whom she tells her tale and Drosselmeyer invents convenient excuses for her childish fantasies to be mistaken for reality. Nobody knows what the real truth is: is the Nutcracker real? Or is Marie only dreaming?
8. "The Ghost in The Swing" by Janet P. Smith
Joan's parents are separated and both much too busy to take care of her for the summer. Joan looks forward to a boring summer staying with her aunt, but strange things begin to happen around the house. Who is the girl singing in the swing and why does she look so similar to Joan? Why did her aunt whisper to the painting in the hall? A fantasy filled with mystery and suspense — if you can get your hands on a copy.
9. "Spindle's End" by Robin McKinley
The tale of Sleeping Beauty has always been something I find nauseatingly annoying. However, Spindle's End is the best retelling of the tale I've ever read. Briar Rose is now Rosie after young Katriona gifts the child at her name day, inadvertently becoming one of her fairy godmothers. Another fairy and ally to the King and Queen urges Katriona to hide the baby with her to escape the evil fairy Pernicia. So Rosie grows up, hidden until the day when she can fight destiny and the evil witch.
10. "Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens" by J. M. Barrie
From "The Little Whit Bird," "Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens" is the original tale of the marvelous faerie-boy. It tells the tale of how he flew away from home as a baby and landed in the pond in Kensington Gardens to live with the birds and fae. Witness the heart-ache he suffered and the true pain of barred windows and rejected love. The poor boy; he does so need a mother.
11. "The Gnome King of Oz" by Ruth Plumly Thompson
Two stories converge in this book: that of "Scraps and the Quilties in Patch" and that of "Peter Brown and the Gnome king Ruggedo." This is one of the many beloved tales of Oz that is often overlooked. We all know the story of Dorothy's adventure and how she defeated the wicked witch, but there are many other stories history has overlooked!
12. "The Little Lame Prince" by Miss Mulock
