The fantasy genre is beloved by many children.

"It is above all by the imagination that we achieve perception and compassion and hope."

— Ursula K. Le Guin

What are some good titles in this genre to start with?

First, some classics:

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Crystal Cave (The Arthurian Saga, Book 1) by Mary Stewart

The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Then some recent favorites:

Redwall (Redwall, Book 1) by Bryan Jacques

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

The Invention of Hugo Cabretby Brian Selznick

What is the definition of fantasy, and where did it come from?

It's simply a genre of fiction that has elements of magic and the supernatural. There can be some overlap between science fiction and fantasy, because they’re both forms of speculative fiction. In the past century, stories based on Celtic mythology and “sword and sorcery” themed books have become very popular.

This genre has its roots in the earliest folk tales and fairy tales. For years, people have been creating myths and stories that explain the natural world and create the rules of society. In fact, the gift of imagination has been one of the ways humans have survived for so many years.

• Imagination and creative play are some of the main ways children learn to experience the world around them.
• Reading magical stories allows a child to step into the shoes of the hero or heroine, and have adventures without even leaving the house.
• These stories allow a child to look at real-world problems from a different perspective. Stories are often based on real events. By using an alternate history, these real historical events can be explored in a way that is less intimidating. Plus, children may be inspired to learn more about the history that inspired them.

The wide variety of setting and plots means that there's a title in the genre to interest almost any child. Use one of the suggestions above!