Animal+Fantasy

There are several benefits to reading modern fantasy literature. Through this genre, students learn how to use their imagination, look at situations from different points of view, expand their curiosity, and understand reality through surreal circumstances. Modern fantasies are appealing to young readers, and should be used to promote reading. As a result, students develop good reading habits that will last them a lifetime! While modern fantasies may serve as an escape for readers, they also may be satirical. Many modern fantasies explore human nature and make fun of our shortcomings. //The Doll People// by Ann Martin is an example of a modern fantasy that nurtures the reader’s imagination. After reading this story, a child might participate in imaginative play with dolls, stuffed animals, or the like. The characters in the story seem believable, thereby allowing the reader to “suspend disbelief” in the story. (Norton P337) Through the daily actions and description of the characters and their feelings, the reader finds the story believable, or perhaps wishing it was true. The reader may find herself wondering if the dolls in her dollhouse come to life. In this way, modern fantasies pique the reader’s curiosity. //Nim’s Island,// by Wendy Orr, allows the reader to escape from the real world, which is a benefit to reading modern fantasy novels. The reader is taken to a beautiful, deserted island inhabited by Nim, an iguana, a sea lion, and her dad. In addition to serving as an escape, this modern fantasy includes satire directed at the adults in the story. Although the plot is unlikely, the story becomes believable when the reader is faced with the reality of the unreal circumstances, such as taking care of oneself, worrying about a family member, being afraid to do something you’ve never done before, etc. Modern fantasies are beneficial because they stimulate the imagination, encourage curiosity, and offer an escape to the reader. These types of books are appealing to young readers by nature, and as a result, should be used to promote reading. The development and point of view of the characters allow readers to set aside their skepticism and consider the reality of the story, perhaps wishing it were true or possible. Finally, many modern fantasies deal with real life issues in an unreal setting, making it easier for the reader to deal with. For example, in //Inkheart// by Cornelia Funke, the characters in storybooks come to life. However, one of the main themes of the story is the importance of family, a very real aspect of life. References Funke, Cornelia. //Inkheart.// Scholastic: 2005 Kurkjiian, Catherine; Nancy Livingston; Terrell Young; Avi. “Worlds of Fantasy”. //Reading Teacher//, Feb2006, Vol. 59 Issue 5, p492-503, 12p, Database: Education Research Complete Martin, Ann and Laura Godwin. //The Doll People.// Hyperion Book CH: 2000. Norton, Donna. //Through the Eyes of a Child: An Introduction to Children’s Literature.// NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1995. Orr, Wendy. //Nim’s Island.// Yearling: 2008. 

Added by Meg Cilley
Children benefit in many ways when they read modern fantasy. The benefits effect children’s development by helping to cultivate their imagination. The stories also provide insight into universal questions for example the idea of good vs. evil which is found in many fantasy titles. Most importantly children benefit from the stories ability to satisfy the human need for myth. Modern fantasy exposes children to new worlds, ideas and things. It is important for children to develop their imaginations and to be able to think in different ways. Fantasy can help to expose children to a wide range of ideas. Nancy Farmer’s “The House of the Scorpion” s is one example of a story which takes place in a world very similar to our own but with the existence of clones and in a place which doesn’t exist. Children are exposed to different ideas of culture and able to envision a society different form our own. Modern fantasy satisfies the need to answer many of life’s universal questions. Questions such as the meaning of life and death. Many of the fantasy’s are written about good vs. evil. The success of the Harry Potter series shows how a universal theme can be popular in many different cultures at the same time. Harry battling against the dark forces is something children around the world were able to relate to and be interested in reading. Because of the many diverse cultures in the United States there are very few myths which are passed down from generation to generation. Children look to modern fantasy stories to satisfy this need for myth Many of the stories are based on myths from different cultures. Gail Carson Levine wrote a series of retellings of popular fairy tales. One, “The Fairy’s Return” is a spoof of the popular Grimm fairytale the “Golden Goose“. In which a baker’s son falls I love with the princess. Her father won’t let her marry him and betroths her to someone else. The princess becomes depressed. The baker’s son returns and makes her laugh. When the king finds out who he is he states that he must pass three tests in order to marry his daughter. These are classic stories which have been retold in a number of different ways yet retain their universal lessons and themes. These are stories which if we lived in a different culture would be passed down from grandparent to parent to child. In our culture modern fantasy stories serve this purpose of providing the next generation with the myths they need Works Cited: Farmer, Nancy. “The House of the Scorpion.” 2002. Levine, Gail Carson. “The Fairy’s Return” 2002. Rawlings, J.K.. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” 1998