According to the Cambridge Online Dictionary, the word fantasy means a pleasant situation that you like to think about but is unlikely to happen, or the activity of imagining things like this. In the literary context, fantasy has been a popular genre since the 19th century (PROOF) that describes situations very different from real life, usually involving the magic of mythical beings. As soon as we hear about this genre, flashbacks from our childhood already come to our minds. Indeed, fantasy is something inseparable during our childhood, as most of us grew up reading and listening to all kinds of stories involving unusual characters such as mermaids, monsters, wizards, dragons and the list goes on. Parents may have also introduced characters like Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy just to see the little innocent souls smile with joy and some may have even talked about the monsters under the bed to get the more stubborn ones to lie down at night. time. Even though we wallowed in fantasy during our childhood, it all remained in this particular phase of life. As we get older, we tend to move away from these beliefs, even if some of us secretly wish they were true. Now the real question here is if fantasy was just a simple mental image that does not exist in the real world, what is the purpose of its addition to children's literature? Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay According to Beth Webb, a British children's author, fantasy in children's literature helps stimulate the imagination of young readers. Imagination is actually a psychological process that will eventually prove to be a crucial coping mechanism for adults, as it helps little ones bridge the gap between knowledge, reality and experience. For example, when we were young, a creaky floor at night would be scary. Instantly, our curiosity grows and questions such as “What could that noise be?” » or “Who is making that noise?” fills the little mind. As a naive little child who has no knowledge about the swelling of central heating pipes, we tend to engage in simulations to bridge the gap between experience and knowledge. Therefore, all we could do at that age was just imagine and fantasize that there was a serial killer or a thief, or even a monster under the bed. However, as we grow up, we eventually learn about the effect of heat on pipes and probably prefer the monster theory. Fear, in a safe context, brings joy. Another opinion on the importance of children's imagination comes from Dr. Jillian Roberts, a children's author and child and adolescent psychologist based in Canada. She strongly believes that imagination is an essential element in the development of a child's mind, as it stimulates creativity and critical thinking. I believe it too. Indeed, when children develop their imagination, they are able to learn to think outside the box and take on challenges of different dimensions. In fact, I might relate this to one of my favorite reads from my youth, Bridge of Terabithia by Katherine Patersone, which primarily showcases children's imagination and its power. The two main characters in this story are Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke. The two of them take a sip over a stream and build their imaginary world called Terabithia. This becomes their sanctuary againstbullies, pressures and simple everyday life. They imagine that they are monarchs, that they are powerful and that they are capable of overcoming anything. It was only when they put themselves in this position thanks to their overflowing imagination that they were able to feel confident. Their self-confidence has slowly started to increase in real life and they start thinking critically about ways to handle difficult situations without fear. I could also relate this to what was said by the famous children's author Joanne Rowling or better known as JK Rowling during her 2008 Harvard graduation speech. According to her, it values ​​imagination because: “It is not only the unique human capacity to imagine what is not, and therefore the source of all invention and innovation. In arguably its most transformative and revelatory capacity, it is the power that allows us to empathize with the humans who are going through the experience we have shared. "Furthermore, if noticed, fantasizing not only helped Jess and Leslie look at real-life situations from different perspectives and think critically, but it also led them to solve their own problems. When children are exposed to fantasy books, they too tend to spontaneously use and develop their own imagination. They become aware of the fact that there are several ways to solve a problem. This will become an essential skill over time. , when I was in elementary school, I always found it difficult to solve problems in mathematics. The only way for me to help myself is real imagination. For example, if the sum says subtract six from twelve. .I used to imagine that I first subtracted two in my mind because I only have ten fingers. Then continue to subtract four using my fingers to get the correct answer. Furthermore, according to the observation of Maria Nikolajeva, head of children's literature studies at the University of Cambridge, children's fantasy can explore important values ​​and psychological issues in a non-threatening way, because it deals with worlds slightly detached from the real. In some ways, this observation builds on Bruno Bettelheim's analysis, "The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales," in which he suggests that the inner value of fantasy lies in the fact that it allows the young child to explore their own world. or their potentially terrifying desires and emotions at a safe distance from any context in which their potentially destructive power is made evident. Jacob Grimm's Hansel and Gretel, for example, is not simply the story of a witch in a house made of candy, but it is a story about greed and the importance of controlling oneself and recognizing the needs of others. Likewise, the Harry Potter series is not only a story about learning to be a wizard, but also about learning to deal with the evil rooted within you, about facing death, and about the importance of love as well as friendship. In my opinion, I also think that fantasy in children's literature helps to simplify complex topics such as social issues, family issues, values ​​or prejudices of all kinds. This is because it helps to describe these issues in the most engaging and creative way possible, just to match a child's level of thinking, as it might be a bit difficult and boring if explained in a simple way . Incorporating these issues into children's literature also allows parents to begin their conversation about these topics with their children, because they have already been there.