The Greatest British "Fiction, Children's books, Low Fantasy" Books Since 1900

Click to learn how this list is calculated.

This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

Filter by: Genres Dates Countries
Follow on:

Genres

Fiction

Children's books

Children's books are a category of literature that is specifically written and designed for children. These books are typically aimed at readers between the ages of 0-12 and cover a wide range of topics, from picture books for toddlers to chapter books for older children. Children's books often feature colorful illustrations, simple language, and engaging stories that are meant to entertain, educate, and inspire young readers. They can cover a variety of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and more, and are an essential part of a child's early education and development.

Low Fantasy

Low Fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy literature that is characterized by its grounding in the real world or a world very similar to ours, with the inclusion of magical or fantastical elements being minimal and often more subtle than in high fantasy genres. Unlike high fantasy, which transports readers to entirely different worlds or realms filled with magic and mythical creatures, low fantasy stories are set in a recognizable world where magic intrudes on reality but does not dominate it. This genre often explores the juxtaposition of the mundane with the extraordinary, focusing on how ordinary characters react to and interact with the slight, often unsettling, supernatural or magical elements that enter their world. The magic in low fantasy can serve as a metaphor for real-world issues, and the stories often delve into themes of moral ambiguity, realism, and the complexities of human nature, making them appealing to readers who enjoy nuanced storytelling that blurs the lines between the fantastical and the plausible.

Add additional genre filters

Countries

British

Add additional country filters

Date Range

Filter

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download
  1. 1. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone by J. K Rowling

    The story follows a young boy, Harry Potter, who learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. He is summoned from his life as an unwanted child to become a student at Hogwarts, an English boarding school for wizards. There, he meets several friends who become his closest allies and help him discover the truth about his parents' mysterious deaths, the dark wizard who wants to kill him, and the magical stone that holds immense power.

    The 134th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. Watership Down by Richard Adams

    This novel follows a group of rabbits as they flee their warren due to a foreseen catastrophe. The rabbits, led by Hazel and his psychic brother Fiver, face numerous challenges and adventures as they search for a new home. They encounter predators, hostile rabbit communities, and human threats. The book explores themes of leadership, survival, and freedom, all set within the natural world and its inherent dangers.

    The 177th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

    This classic children's novel is about a boy named Peter Pan who never grows up and lives in a magical place called Neverland. Peter Pan, along with his fairy sidekick Tinker Bell, invites the Darling children - Wendy, John, and Michael - to Neverland where they encounter pirates, mermaids, and other fantastic adventures. The story explores themes of innocence, friendship, bravery, and the bittersweet nature of growing up.

    The 524th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. The BFG by Roald Dahl

    The book tells the story of a young orphan girl who befriends a benevolent giant, known as the Big Friendly Giant (BFG). Together, they embark on a mission to stop the other evil, man-eating giants from terrorizing the human world. With the help of the Queen of England and her armed forces, they manage to capture the evil giants and bring peace. The BFG and the girl then live happily in England, with the BFG delivering good dreams to children and the girl living in a new home at the palace.

    The 608th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K Rowling

    In the final installment of this popular series, the protagonist and his friends decide to leave their school to complete the mission left to them by their late headmaster - to destroy the remaining pieces of the antagonist's soul, hidden in various objects. As they journey through the wizarding world, they uncover the truth about the antagonist's past and the legend of the Deathly Hallows. Amidst the escalating war, they are captured and narrowly escape, leading to the ultimate battle at their school where many lives are lost. The protagonist learns he must sacrifice himself to truly defeat the antagonist, but is given a second chance at life and finally triumphs, ending the war. The story concludes with a glimpse into the peaceful future they have all earned.

    The 877th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

    In a magical land where witches and wizards exist, a young hat maker named Sophie is cursed by a jealous witch and transformed into an old woman. Determined to break the curse, Sophie seeks refuge in the mysterious moving castle of the feared wizard Howl. As Sophie navigates the castle's enchanting rooms and encounters its eccentric inhabitants, she discovers the power of love, friendship, and self-acceptance. Together with Howl and his apprentice Michael, Sophie embarks on a captivating journey filled with adventure, magic, and unexpected twists that will change their lives forever.

    The 1099th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

    In this enchanting children's novel, a group of young siblings discovers an incredible tree in an enchanted forest near their new countryside home. This isn't just any tree; it's home to a variety of fantastical creatures and has magical lands that appear at its top, each with its own unique adventures and challenges. The children befriend the tree's quirky inhabitants and embark on a series of whimsical escapades, exploring lands filled with delights, dangers, and mysteries. Through their adventures, they learn the value of friendship, courage, and the boundless nature of imagination.

    The 2162nd Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. Coraline by Neil Gaiman

    A young girl named Coraline Jones moves into a new home and discovers a secret door leading to an alternate version of her life, where her "Other Mother" and "Other Father" reside. Although this parallel world seems better at first, she soon realizes that her Other Parents want to keep her there permanently and that they are not as they appear. Coraline must use her bravery and wits to save herself and her real parents, who have been kidnapped by the Other Mother, and free the souls of other children trapped in this alternate world.

    The 2434th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

    The novel follows the unusual life of a boy named Nobody "Bod" Owens who, after his family is murdered, is raised by the supernatural inhabitants of a graveyard. Under the protection of ghosts and his guardian, who is neither living nor dead, Bod learns about the living world and the dangers it holds, including the man Jack who continues to hunt for him. As he grows up among tombstones and crypts, Bod explores the limits of his graveyard home, encounters creatures of the night, and ultimately confronts the sinister forces that took his family from him, all while trying to lead a normal life despite his extraordinary upbringing.

    The 4053rd Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy

    The book tells the story of a young girl attending a witch academy who is always getting into trouble due to her clumsiness and inability to get her spells right. Despite her constant mishaps, she manages to save the school from a dangerous plot by a wicked witch, proving that she may not be the worst witch after all.

    The 4677th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. Complete Works by Lewis Carroll

    The book is a comprehensive collection of the imaginative and whimsical works of a renowned 19th-century British author, best known for his iconic children's literature. It includes his famous tales of a young girl's surreal adventures in a fantastical land after falling down a rabbit hole, as well as the sequel that takes her through a looking-glass world where everything is reversed. The compilation also features a range of the author's poetry, including nonsense verses filled with wordplay and logic puzzles, as well as other novels, essays, and miscellaneous writings that showcase his talent for satire, logic, and fantasy.

    The 7152nd Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. Puck Of Pook's Hill by Rudyard Kipling

    "Puck of Pook's Hill" is a collection of fantasy short stories woven together by a common thread: the magical encounters of two children, Dan and Una, with Puck, the last of the ancient English faeries. Set in the Sussex countryside, the children are taken on a series of adventures through time, meeting a cast of characters from different periods of English history, including Romans, Vikings, and Norman knights. Through these tales, the book explores themes of history, culture, and the passage of time, blending myth with reality to create a tapestry that celebrates England's rich heritage.

    The 7152nd Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. Northern Lights by Philip Pullman

    This novel introduces readers to a parallel universe where human souls manifest as talking animal companions known as daemons. The story follows a young girl who embarks on a perilous journey to the Arctic to save her kidnapped friend. Along the way, she uncovers a sinister plot involving stolen children and a mysterious substance called Dust. With the help of a rugged polar bear warrior and a host of other allies, she confronts a series of challenges that test her courage and resolve. This fantasy adventure blends elements of magic, science, and theology, setting the stage for an epic trilogy that explores themes of freedom and the nature of the universe.

    The 9305th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download