Magical Stories That Spark Creativity, Curiosity, and Dreamy Daydreams
Imagination is where creativity begins. When kids imagine, they turn cardboard boxes into castles, clouds into dragons, and quiet moments into big adventures. Books that celebrate imagination help children dream, explore, and create—all while growing confident in their own ideas.
In this post, I’m sharing my favorite imagination books for kids, organized by age group. I’ve also included creative activities and thoughtful questions to help young readers explore their inner worlds and think outside the box. Let me know which story sends your reader’s mind soaring!
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Table of Content
- Why Read Books About Imagination?
- The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Imagination
- 11 Imagination Books For Children
- What Imagination Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Why Read Books About Imagination?
Imagination books remind kids that their ideas are powerful and valuable.
These stories encourage creativity by showing characters who invent new worlds, ask curious questions, or transform everyday things into magical possibilities. They help children become flexible thinkers and confident creators.
Reading about imagination supports play-based learning, emotional expression, and a lifelong love of discovery.
The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Imagination
Imagination books aren’t just fun—they’re important.
They help children explore abstract thinking, problem solving, and emotional storytelling. Whether a character builds a spaceship out of junk or paints what they feel, imagination-based books empower children to express themselves in unique and joyful ways.
They also show that there’s more than one way to see the world—and that thinking differently can lead to something beautiful.
How to Use Books about Imagination with Children
Here are a few playful ways to turn stories into springboards for creative exploration:
- 🎈 Ask Open-Ended Questions: After reading, ask: What would you invent if you had no limits? or What does your dream world look like? In a classroom, Turn and Talk or sketch-and-share helps kids show their ideas.
- 🎨 Engage in Imagination-Themed Activities: Create “what if” stories, design imaginary animals, build a fort and pretend it’s a spaceship, or turn scribbles into masterpieces. You can also act out scenes with dress-up or puppets!
- 📚 Refer Back to the Books: During writing, play, or design time, use books to spark ideas. Say: Remember how the character imagined an island in her room? What can your imagination turn this space into?
- 👨👩👧 Involve Other Caregivers: Share books that promote pretend play, story crafting, or art exploration at home. Encourage families to read before open-ended play or create a “magic bin” of props and costumes.
11 Imagination Books For Children
Younger Children (Ages 3-6)
#1 The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
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A gentle, powerful story about finding your inner artist and making your mark—no matter how small it begins.
Activity Idea: Let kids start with one dot and see what they can turn it into!
Discussion Questions:
- What helped Vashti start creating?
- Have you ever been nervous to try something new?
- What kind of “dot” could you make today?
#2 Painting Wonder by Katie Wray Schon
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A poetic celebration of color, nature, and the wonder of painting the world around you.
Activity Idea: Try painting with nature—leaves, sticks, or even flowers as brushes.
Discussion Questions:
- What kinds of beauty does the book highlight?
- How can art help us notice small things?
- What do you love to paint?
#3 If You Find a Leaf by Aimée Sicuro
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This whimsical book turns a simple leaf into magical art, showing endless creative possibilities.
Activity Idea: Go on a nature walk and collect leaves for your own art project.
Discussion Questions:
- What ideas came from the leaves in the book?
- What would you imagine your leaf to be?
- How do you use your imagination outside?
Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
#4 Can You Do This? by Megan Roy
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A joyful invitation to try new things, push boundaries, and take creative risks.
Activity Idea: Create a “Can you do this?” movement or art challenge at home.
Discussion Questions:
- Why is it important to try new things?
- What’s something you were proud to learn?
- How can being creative be brave?
#5 Picture This… by Alison Jay
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An enchanting story told through detailed illustrations, encouraging readers to create their own narratives.
Activity Idea: Pick a page and write or tell your own story about what’s happening.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you see that others might not?
- How does art tell a story without words?
- Can you draw your own picture story?
#6 In My Room by Jo Witek
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A celebration of solitude, creativity, and the power of a child’s imagination in their own space.
Activity Idea: Design your dream room full of your favorite things.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you do when you’re alone in your room?
- How does imagination help you feel safe or happy?
- What’s your favorite pretend game?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#7 The Artist by Ed Vere
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An energetic, empowering story about the joy of art and staying true to your creativity, even when others doubt you.
Activity Idea: Draw or paint using only shapes or lines and let the art surprise you!
Discussion Questions:
- What did the artist in the book believe in?
- How can we stay confident in our creativity?
- Have you ever shared your art with someone?
Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
#8 The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination by Brad Montague
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A wildly imaginative adventure that celebrates ideas, creativity, and the magic inside us all.
Activity Idea: Create your own imagination “passport” with dreams, inventions, and doodles.
Discussion Questions:
- What is imagination, and where does it come from?
- What would you create in the Bureau of Imagination?
- How can imagination help the world?
#9 Day Dreamers by Emily Winfield Martin
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A dreamy, lyrical journey through the mind of a daydreamer full of unicorns, dragons, and other magic.
Activity Idea: Illustrate your own “daydream creature.”
Discussion Questions:
- What kinds of dreams live in your head?
- When do you like to daydream?
- Why is it good to imagine things?
#10 Journey by Aaron Becker
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A wordless masterpiece where a girl uses a red crayon to open a door to a magical adventure.
Activity Idea: Draw your own “portal” that leads to an imaginary world.
Discussion Questions:
- Where would your crayon take you?
- What does this story tell us without words?
- How can drawing be an adventure?
#11 Through the Fairy Door by Gabby Dawnay
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This whimsical journey follows a girl who steps into a hidden world through a tiny door.
Activity Idea: Build your own fairy door out of cardboard or clay and place it in your room.
Discussion Questions:
- What kinds of places could a fairy door lead to?
- How can stories open up new worlds?
- What would your own secret world be like?
Grab these free resources to make your teaching life easier!
What Imagination Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Imagination books for kids open doors to new ideas, endless play, and expressive storytelling. Whether your child loves painting, pretending, writing, or building, these stories help them see that imagination is a superpower they can always rely on.
Which book will inspire your next big dream? Tag me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches and share your most imaginative reads, drawings, or “what if” ideas!
Happy reading!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
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