Fantasy! It has always been a target to attack on the bases of untruthfulness, involving magic, imagination and other ‘unrealistic’ views. The reality of it all, it takes great effort and imagination to write anything, and ‘give it breathing life’. “People working with children in slums want books about children in slums. This is a realistic way of thinking, assuming that children relate better and recognize books easier to read; however children read of mystery, curiosity and astonishment, whereas adults view fantasy bringing out the literary meaning of a scientific materialistic world. Parents and other Authorities who specialize in the child’s world and whose original interest lay in the science field rather than arts, are people who dislike fantasy and prefer realism. The opposing side believes fantasy compels children and other readers to a metaphoric window to the world. Realism frame of mind takes at hand literal pieces of a realistic world. Drawing morals from a realistic story, narrative phrase on a biography, or an eye witness account. One must keep in mind the nature of an individual and his reaction to a book. A child at a particular growth point and a specific state of mind or differently will have a certain interest then another.
Then comes into play the relationship between the author and his reader; where by that magical inspiration is not of a teacher and his pupil or of a parent or counselor or preacher. Rather it is an important act of friendship, adventure, imagination, courage, power and sometimes even the mystical world of magic. Even though there is no dragon and wizards in the real world, they symbolize danger and risks, superstition and miracles. There is much complexity to be solved through a balance of fantasy and realism.
Those who care about children’s literature have an obligation to inform themselves of the best and the latest thinking about the constellation of topics that will enable them to bring the two together most successfully. How important are books in a media- saturated environment? Children today are surrounded by visual images from their earliest consciousness. Their introduction to books was to ‘picture books’ or ‘picture story books’. This is an introduction to child’s fine art as well as popular culture. For many years modern realistic fiction has been the most popular genre among young readers, perhaps it is closer to the lives they know, and therefore easier to read. If fantasy or horror is taking realism in popularity then we certainly need to consider the causes for this change. Well-crafted stories encourage the development of attitudes based on similar experiences leading us to appreciate others. All children have a right to literature in its different forms. In the best of all possible worlds, they would have rich experiences with nursery rhymes, interactive dialogue and other forms of language.
“The purpose of reading, once you get the hang of it, is not merely to follow the action of a plot, but to learn about the characters, explore different ideas and enter other minds.” (Besotted with Potter, pg. 1) For many parents, witchcraft is dangerous and demonic. There is Good and Evil in the world. Times are changing and some believe children are now more vulnerable to deception than children of earlier times. This is clearly due to different times and culture, such as social activities influencing outcomes of many issues. Secondly, different types of fantasy, computer games, television and the media, movies and Books are all the birth of different imagination. Depending on the source of the child’s imagination, specific bias, morals and values are reflected upon the child’s feelings and imagery. Thirdly, different kind of classroom and education system where multicultural education and the global community ‘call for a common set of values’ disclosing traditional beliefs and narrow minded opinions. There is much good in children’s books, capturing a world where strength, courage, hope, wisdom, and love strongly exist.
Children seek affirmation of the goodness of life through the books they read. Children are simply different in their exploration for they lack experience and they carry a high overwhelming self-interest. Their basic ability to logic assumes the child must ultimately rely on his own understanding of this world. Fear of failure in certain circumstances may arise and thus he makes the story’s action crucially important. Fiction, particularly fantasy creates these circumstances for his consideration. In a society adults and children must work together for the safety and self-realization of all. No individual can find self-realization at a cost of others, or a hierarchical system for society will fail. This is where realistic fiction differs from fantasy fiction; realistic fiction promises child self-realization within boundaries; whereas fantasy creates limitless possibilities for adventure and creativity. Books have magic in them, whether its magic of Shakespeare and Coelho or Lewis Carroll and Harry Potter. Whether it’s the bible or the Quraan, one may find magic in his own way of life through fantasy or realism.