Fantasy in picture books

While most picture books are full of fantasy, some is more fantastical than others. Here is a small selection of picture books for young children. Each book is full of fantasy at a high level, from a talking egg in Humpty Dumpty and the Peep and Egg stories to a troop of monkeys going to sea in Phillip Stead's latest book, to a cow who is not just a cow, but also an inventor, you will find not only fantasy, but hilarity through and through! Enjoy!

The Only Fish in the Sea by Philip Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell

When Little Amy Scott throws an unwanted goldfish into the sea, she starts a chain of events that are so ridiculous, so over the top, so hilarious, the reader cannot help but be engaged. Sadie and Sherman go to sea with a troop of monkeys and special rain gear to rescue a fish they call Ellsworth. And Little Amy is all alone at her birthday party. The illustrations are busy enough to keep up with all the developments in the story and show a few extra details to keep everyone’s imagination engaged. 

After the Fall by Dan Santat

What happened to Humpty Dumpty after he fell off the wall? If you ever wondered this, you are about to find out. Santat, who won a Caldecott medal for The Adventures of Beekle, lets Humpty tell his own story through words and pictures; a story of pain and sadness, but also of triumph in the end.

Prudence the Part-Time Cow by Jody Jensen Shaffer, illustrated by Stephanie Laberis

A new twist on what to do if you don’t fit in with your “herd.” Prudence is a cow, but she is so much more; she is an inventor, a scientist, an architect. All of this thinking and activity make her unpopular with the rest of the cows and she just doesn’t fit in. Finally, she figures out a way to use her inventions for the good of the herd and everyone is her friend. Maybe a little simplistic, but we are talking about talking cows here.

Flo Story by Kyo Maclear, Pictures by Jay Fleck

 

Flo is a small panda, in fact, she is the smallest panda in the group. She likes to stop and play with butterflies or talk to the moon, but the bigger pandas have all her time filled up with important activities. If you have ever been the smallest in your group; or if you just like to figure out how to use your time, then this is the book for you. Take a minute to get floppy with Flo.

Thunder Horse by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by Dennis Nolan

A modern-day fairy tale about a magical Thunder Horse who comes from a hidden Greek island. A young girl gets the thunder horse from her aunt as a present, but she is told as he grows, he will not stay with her forever. This amazing tale is illustrated with dreamy pictures of the horse and the girl that makes even those who do not love horses want to be in the story. But, who does not love horses, and magic and wondrous stories?

Floaty by John Himmelman

A preposterous story if I ever saw one! I know Wes will love it. Mr. Raisin, looking somewhat like Mr. Magoo of years gone by, likes to sit in his house and sew. One day a basket is deposited on his doorstep that hold and unusual dog. The dog floats. Luckily, Mr. Raisin realizes this before he sends the dog back out the door. He must throw food up in the air to feed the dog and put him on a leash to walk him outdoors. Eventually, he names the dog Floaty. What happens when the leash breaks? Read and find out how Mr. Raisin solves this problem.

Peep and Egg: I’m Not Using the Potty by Laura Gehl, Pictures by Joyce Wan

Peep and Egg are back and this time Egg is refusing to use the Potty. If you have a reluctant toddler, you may try using this book to encourage a new skill.