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 folktales His 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.