How will you encourage your child to read after the Harry Potter craze dies down? Here are some ideas. It has finally happened. The last Harry Potter book arrived for your eager child, who has finished reading the entire book. What next? You do not want your child to abandon his newfound reading habit. The solution then is to find similar books that will build on your childs interest in wizards, magic, and all things related to fantasy. In this articleWhat should you look for while selecting a book?Artemis Fowl series by Eoin ColferThe Inheritance Series by Christopher PaoliniThe Young Merlin Trilogy by Jane YolenWhich Witch by Eva IbbotsonThe Hobbit by J.R.R. TolkienThe Chronicles of Narnia by CS LewisWhat should you look for while selecting a book? Choosing books that have similar themes to J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter series would be the ideal first choice. The Harry Potter series theme revolves around children and magic. Other options would include branching into science fiction where your childs imagination will be introduced to different alien worlds. Here are some fantasy books that will ensure that your childs reading habit doesnt disappear magically. Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer Artemis Fowl is a series of childrens fiction books written by Eoin Colfer. The story revolves around the exploits of a child prodigy called Artemis Fowl the Second. Artemis starts out as worlds youngest criminal, his only concern being the acquisition of money through some ingenious scheme. However later on Artemiss character evolves to be more ethical in nature. Like Harry Potter, the storylines blend a semi-serious plot with some darker moments. The story involves magical characters such as fairies, dwarfs, goblins, and centaurs. Parents might want to encourage their kids to read this book because of the ingenuity and persistence the main character shows, no matter the obstacles that he faces. The Inheritance Series by Christopher Paolini Named after the central character of the story, Eragon is the first book in the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini. Eragon is a young farm boy who happens to chance upon a dragon egg. He finds himself chosen as a dragon rider, a rare honour and burden that he must bear. The story has elements of magic and action, and is a blend of Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings. The second book in the series is Eldest. The third part is yet to be released. What is unique about the story is that the author was only 15 when he wrote this book. Parents can use this book as an example to encourage their own children to write as well. The Young Merlin Trilogy by Jane Yolen These stories revolve around Merlin the magician during his childhood. In the first book, titled Passager, Merlin is abandoned in the woods and needs to use his intellect and wits to survive. As the young child spends time in the wild, he forgets how to speak. One day he sees a hunting hawk and is captivated by it. The other two books in the series, Hobby and Merlin deal with Merlins growth to a twelve-year-old and his ensuing adventures. The story that ensues, although not magical, is definitely a riveting read for a young child. Parents can select this book if they want a story with a theme of independence. The exploits of Young Merlin and how he survives on his own reinforce this very well. Which Witch by Eva Ibbotson Set in a world of wizards and witches, Eva Ibbotsons tale is the story of Arriman the Awful and his quest to find a witch to be his bride. This bewitching tale will enthral children with its exquisite characters that can be both fiendish and kindly. One of the main contestants for Arrimans hand in marriage is Belladona, a white witch and a bit of an outcast. The story is full of magical creatures such as ogres, cannibalistic mice, and krakens that will captive any young magic lover. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien This classic was written in 1937, yet still manages to captivate readers of all ages. The story revolves around the capers of a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins and his wizard friend Gandalf. Gandalf recruits Bilbo for a treasure hunt to the Lonely Mountain. This story will entice Harry Potter fans with its mystical locations and vast variety of characters. If they enjoyed Harrys adventures, they are bound to be interested in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and will definitely have something to read for quite a while. The Lord of the Rings is an ideal read, as parents will appreciate the themes of persistence against tremendous odds and temptations and the classical good vs evil theme. The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven books written by C.S. Lewis. The stories transport readers to a mystical kingdom where animals talk and magic is common. The story revolves around a group of children who accidentally stumble onto the mysterious realm of Narnia and how they battle the evil White Witch. With its wide range of fantasy characters and settings, this is an ideal story to stimulate a childs creativity and imagination.
How will you encourage your child to read after the Harry Potter craze dies down? Here are some ideas. It has finally happened. The last Harry Potter book arrived for your eager child, who has finished
reading the entire book. What next? You do not want your child to abandon his newfound reading habit. The solution then is to find similar books that will build on your child's interest in
wizards, magic, and all things related to fantasy.
What should you look for while selecting a book?
Choosing books that have similar themes to J.K. Rowling's
Harry Potter series would be the ideal first choice. The Harry Potter series theme revolves around children and magic. Other options would include branching into science fiction where your child's imagination will be introduced to different alien worlds.
Here are some fantasy books that will ensure that your child's reading habit doesn't disappear magically.
Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer
Artemis Fowl is a series of children's fiction books written by Eoin Colfer. The story revolves around the exploits of a child prodigy called Artemis Fowl the Second. Artemis starts out as world's youngest criminal, his only concern being the acquisition of money through some ingenious scheme. However later on Artemis's character evolves to be more ethical in nature. Like Harry Potter, the storylines blend a semi-serious plot with some darker moments. The story involves magical characters such as fairies, dwarfs, goblins, and centaurs. Parents might want to encourage their kids to read this book because of the ingenuity and persistence the main character shows, no matter the obstacles that he faces.
The Inheritance Series by Christopher Paolini
Named after the central character of the story, Eragon is the first book in the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini. Eragon is a young farm boy who happens to chance upon a dragon egg. He finds himself chosen as a dragon rider, a rare honour and burden that he must bear. The story has elements of magic and action, and is a blend of Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings. The second book in the series is Eldest. The third part is yet to be released. What is unique about the story is that the author was only 15 when he wrote this book. Parents can use this book as an example to encourage their own children to write as well.
The Young Merlin Trilogy by Jane Yolen
These stories revolve around Merlin the magician during his childhood. In the first book, titled 'Passager', Merlin is abandoned in the woods and needs to use his intellect and wits to survive. As the young child spends time in the wild, he forgets how to speak. One day he sees a hunting hawk and is captivated by it. The other two books in the series, 'Hobby' and 'Merlin' deal with Merlin's growth to a twelve-year-old and his ensuing adventures. The story that ensues, although not magical, is definitely a riveting read for a young child. Parents can select this book if they want a story with a theme of independence. The exploits of Young Merlin and how he survives on his own reinforce this very well.
Which Witch by Eva Ibbotson
Set in a world of wizards and witches, Eva Ibbotson's tale is the story of Arriman the Awful and his quest to find a witch to be his bride. This bewitching tale will enthral children with its exquisite characters that can be both fiendish and kindly. One of the main contestants for Arriman's hand in marriage is Belladona, a white witch and a bit of an outcast. The story is full of magical creatures such as ogres, cannibalistic mice, and krakens that will captive any young magic lover.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
This classic was written in 1937, yet still manages to captivate readers of all ages. The story revolves around the capers of a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins and his wizard friend Gandalf. Gandalf recruits Bilbo for a treasure hunt to the Lonely Mountain. This story will entice Harry Potter fans with its mystical locations and vast variety of characters. If they enjoyed Harry's adventures, they are bound to be interested in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and will definitely have something to read for quite a while. The Lord of the Rings is an ideal read, as parents will appreciate the themes of persistence against tremendous odds and temptations and the classical good vs evil theme.
The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven books written by C.S. Lewis. The stories transport readers to a mystical kingdom where animals talk and magic is common. The story revolves around a group of children who accidentally stumble onto the mysterious realm of Narnia and how they battle the evil White Witch. With its wide range of fantasy characters and settings, this is an ideal story to stimulate a child's creativity and imagination.
