MODERN FANTASY

WITH JASMIN A. AND HANNAH R.

WHAT IS MODERN FANTASY? often similar to traditional literature Hope Books about the fantasies of the unreal world “It speaks to the best and most helpful parts of

ourselves. It can help us to learn how to be human. It’s critical to children’s understanding of themselves and of the struggles they will face as human beings.”

-Lloyd Alexander

MORE ON MODERN FANTASY

Reveals new insights to the world of reality A well written one endures decade after decade Helps the child develop an imagination

It contains multiple sub-genres and two other genres (FT and Sci-Fi) are closely related to this genre.

MODERN FAIRY TALES

WHAT ARE MODERN FAIRY TALES?

Hans Christian Anderson:The first author of Modern Fairy Tales; a lot of his works are similar to old folktalesHis stories show his gentleness, sadness with the world, and faith in God.Author of The Ugly Duckling

MODERN FANTASY

(THE SUBGENRES)

EVALUATING MODERN FANTASY

Well-written fantasy has a well-constructed plot, convincing characterization, a

worthwhile theme, and an appropriate style.

Fantasy stories are usually made believable in some way by being grounded in

reality.

Plots must be ingenious and creative

ANIMAL FANTASY

Children are usually first introduced to fantasy through stories of talking animals.

Usually, the animals are “people” in disguise; they walk and talk like people.

Other times, the animals retain their animal characteristics alongside the human

ones.

THE WORLD OF TOYS AND DOLLS

Young children often like to imagine inanimate objects coming to life, especially

their own toys.

Often times animal fantasy stories and toy and doll fantasy stories overlap.

ECCENTRIC CHARACTERS AND PREPOSTEROUS SITUATIONS

Many fantasy stories contain eccentric characters or preposterous situations

While they do seem ultra unrealistic, they are still believable because characters

have natural reaction and settings are otherwise normal.

EXTRAORDINARY WORLDS

Many fantasy books follow a pattern where they begin in reality, but sometime

during the plot move into a different, extraordinary world.

Can be above or below ground

Can be alternate history

Can be miniature

MAGICAL POWERS

Characters in fantasy usually

possess a magical object

know a magical saying

have magical powers

SUSPENSE AND THE SUPERNATURAL

Children enjoy spooky, scary stories, with fast moving plots.

Thriller and horror for children

Intriguing characters; eerie settings

Ghosts and spirits

TIME-SHIFT FANTASY

Humans have longings to visit the past--

to communicate with or enter the lives of

people of the past without somehow

losing our own particular place in time.

This sub-genre makes dreams come true.

Characters in these books appear to

shift easily from their spot in time to a

long lost point in someone else’s past.

IMAGINARY REALMS

Most are set in an imaginary society

where kings and queens rule feudal

societies that resemble the middle ages.

Human characters search for identity, a

quest, or the struggle against evil.

Very similar to folktales and traditional

lit.

Can be humorous

HIGH FANTASY

Complex narratives that often extend into sequels and

have certain recurring themes and motives

Stories usually take place in created worlds

Books are serious

Typical concerns of this sub-genre: goodness, truth,

courage, and wisdom.

Recurring theme

Quests and adventures

SCIENCE FICTION

AND ITS SUBGENRES

WHAT IS SCIENCE FICTION?

Sci-Fi is very similar to Fantasy because it presents a

world that never was and never could be.

Sci-Fi speculates on a world that, given what we know

of science, might one day be possible.

AIM OF SCIENCE FICTION

To suggest real hypotheses about mankind’s

future or about the nature of the universe

It’s relevant for today’s rapidly changing world

Gives children a view of a different society

VISITORS TO EARTH/OUTER SPACE AND CYBERSPACE

The visitor can arrive purposefully or inadvertently.

The technology of the early 21st makes visits beyond Earth’s surface much

more plausible to today’s child, and authors make space travel seem like it’s

attainable to the everyday person.

VIEWS OF THE FUTURE!!

Presents the reader with complex hypotheses about the future of Humankind

Speaks of our time and times to come.

Shows how our present actions affect Earth’s economic, political, and social future.