Free Fantasy Books for Kids
We’re passionate about ensuring literacy is accessible to every child, which is why these books are completely free. Our fantasy books open doors to magical worlds filled with wonder for young readers ages 5-9, featuring mythical creatures, enchanted realms, and imaginative adventures that spark creativity. Read them free on the Bookbot website.
The Sea Dragon
Bam and his friends are having fun at the shore when suddenly the ground begins to shake. A massive sea dragon appears, sending big waves crashing onto the beach! The dragon seems very angry. Bam has his trusty flute with him, but can music really calm a fierce sea dragon? Will Bam be brave enough to try?
In the Sky
Have you ever seen shapes in the clouds? Join children as they spot a man dancing in the sky, and watch as the clouds transform into an amazing show! What happens when the cloud performers invite everyone to join in the fun? Discover the magic that happens when you look up and let your imagination soar.
A Ride on a Spell
In busy Delhi, a cheerful three-wheeled taxi works hard carrying passengers through crowded streets. But this little car has a secret dream—he wishes he could fly! One scorching hot day, a mysterious boy sells magical water that he promises will make dreams come true. When some water spills on the car’s seat, something incredible begins to happen. Will the little taxi finally soar through the clouds? And what will flying really be like?
Cam Can Fly?
Cam is tired and falls asleep, but something magical happens! He discovers he can fly and soars higher and higher into the sky. He waves at birds, sees his house shrink below, passes planes and rockets, and reaches the stars themselves. But as Cam explores this amazing adventure, something unexpected happens. Will Cam’s incredible journey end the way he hopes?
The Best Tube
Lila is an artist who loves painting with her watercolours. In her workshop, she creates magical scenes on her canvas - trees swaying in the wind, people floating in clouds, sprites hiding in flowers, and animals by the river. But there’s one tube of paint that hasn’t been used yet. The yellow tube watches nervously as the other paints get squashed and squeezed. Will yellow ever find the courage to join in Lila’s beautiful art?
The Flame
Dragon has a big fire test coming up, but he’d rather relax and munch snacks than train. He’s convinced he doesn’t need to practice—he’ll easily create the biggest flame in class! But when test day arrives, something unexpected happens. Will Dragon’s confidence help him succeed, or will he learn an important lesson about hard work?
An Odd Day
When a man sets out to dig in the dirt on an ordinary day, something extraordinary happens. The sky begins to glow, and then something impossible occurs—fish start falling from above! What could cause such a strange and magical event? Join this curious digger as his day takes an unexpected turn in this delightfully odd adventure.
The Ocean World
Sam is tired and looking for a place to rest, but the cold pond doesn’t seem right. When a friendly fish appears and invites Sam to swim along, an exciting journey begins. Where will their adventure take them? Dive in to discover what wonderful surprises await in the waters beyond the pond!
A Tall Tale
Pa loves telling tall tales, but this one might be his strangest yet! He says there’s a girl made of air who appears in storms and snowflakes. Nobody can see her—until Pa comes up with a clever idea using paint. But is this story really true, or is it just another one of Pa’s wild tales? What do you think is really going on?
Dragon School
Dibs is a young dragon who can’t wait to learn how to fly and breathe fire at Dragon School. But when his favourite bell slips off his tail and rolls through the school gates, he must find a way to get it back. The problem is, his wings are too small to fly and his claws aren’t strong enough to climb. Can Dibs figure out how to rescue his beloved shiny toy?
Frequently Asked Questions
How does reading fantasy stories benefit a child's cognitive development?
Reading fantasy stories strengthens cognitive development by requiring children to build and sustain mental models of imaginary worlds, which exercises working memory, inference, and visualisation skills. Research on narrative absorption shows that immersive stories create deep engagement that enhances comprehension and recall. A 2022 meta-analysis further confirmed that narrative texts with rich settings improve learning outcomes compared to less imaginative material. Bookbot’s free fantasy books for kids pair these cognitive benefits with decodable text so children develop thinking skills and reading skills simultaneously.
Are Bookbot's free fantasy books available as printable PDFs?
Yes. Bookbot’s free fantasy books can be read online on the website, and many also include downloadable PDFs or read-aloud narration. All books follow the same structured phonics scope and sequence, so whether a child reads on screen or on paper, they are working through the same systematic progression. For families wanting additional support, Bookbot’s paid app adds voice recognition and real-time fluency feedback.
Can fantasy books help children who struggle with reading motivation?
Fantasy books are one of the best genres for reigniting reading motivation because magical settings, mythical creatures, and imaginative plots capture children’s attention in ways that more familiar topics may not. Stanovich (1986) demonstrated that motivated readers practise more, which accelerates their skill development in a positive feedback loop. Bookbot’s collection of free fantasy picture books starts at the earliest phonics levels so even children who resist reading can find a fantasy story they can decode independently and enjoy.
What phonics skills do children practise with free fantasy books on Bookbot?
Children practise the full range of phonics skills through Bookbot’s free fantasy books, from basic letter-sound correspondences at the earliest levels to complex vowel patterns and multisyllabic words at advanced levels. The National Reading Panel (2000) confirmed that systematic phonics instruction is one of the most effective approaches to teaching reading. Each fantasy story is carefully written so the vocabulary aligns with the specific phonics patterns being taught at that level, giving children structured practice within an enchanting narrative.