FANTASY LITERATURE FOR INTERMEDIATE-AGE CHILDREN
Several subcategories make up the literary genre of fantasy. Fantasy literature introduces believable settings with intricate detail. The descriptive language establishes vivid imagery and introduces the reader to a whole new world of magic, fantasy worlds, and creatures from old Lores. Fantasy literature is "set in places that do not exist, about people and creatures that could not exist or events that could not happen (Galda et al., 2017, p. 13)." This promotes imagination and creative thinking. Children can begin to explore these stimulating ideas early on. Several fantasy books are written for primary-age children like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.
BOOK SUMMARY
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe follow four siblings as they escape to an old country house during the bombings of World War II. After arriving, the children begin exploring the house when the smallest child, Lucy, discovers a giant wardrobe. She climbs inside the bureau to discover snow, woods, and unimaginable creatures that can talk. Throughout the novel, the siblings undergo several obstacles and challenges as they encounter these unique beings (SparkNotes, n.d.).
BOOK EVALUATIONS
According to Literature and the Child (2017), quality fantasy literature includes several components that lead to a believable and understandable story plot (Galda et al., 2017, p. 223). Throughout The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the reader is introduced to a new world, characters, and events that are explained in detail that relates to the story's context. Throughout the plot, characters react and behave logically. Lastly, the book's theme is meaningful and causes young readers to think about the world around them in a new way. These characteristics of the story make it a quality book of the fantasy genre. This chapter book does not offer illustrations; however, children can use their imagination as they read the descriptive words throughout the novel.
MOTIVATIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. THEME SONG- Working in small groups encourage children to work together to create a theme song based on the book's content.
2. CHARACTER WEB- Working in small or large groups create a character spider web. Children can name the characters and describe the character's personalities.
READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS
1. If you were going to give the main character a present what would it be? Why?
2. What do you think would have happened if Lucy was not released in the beginning of the book?
3. If we were writing a newspaper, what would the headline be for this chapter?
MAGICAL BOOKS BY OTHER AUTHORS
1. Is Underground by Joan Aiken
2. The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley
4. The Dragon's Heart by Jane Yolen
References
Aiken, J. (2015). Is underground. Open Road Integrated Media.
Galda, L., Liang, L. A., & Cullinan, B. E. (2017). Literature and the child. Cengage Learning.
Lewis, C. S. (2021). The Lion, the Witch, and the wardrobe. Antiquarius.
McKinley, R. (2017). The hero and the Crown. Puffin Books.
Norton, A. (2006). Fur magic. Tom Doherty Associates.
SparkNotes. (n.d.). The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe C. S. Lewis. Sparknotes. Retrieved November 14, 2021, from https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/lion/summary/.
Yolen, J. (2011). Dragon's heart. Graphia.
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