Fantasy has become an increasingly popular genre of children's literature in recent years. "Quests and Kingdoms" provides a basis from which an adult, unfamiliar with the genre of children's fantasy literature, may explore it. "Quests" is a historical survey for the interested general reader, which will be of great practical value to library and education professionals as well. Though the aim is to give adults concerned with bringing children (or teens) and books together a familiarity with the children's fantasy genre and its history, for those who already know and love the classics of children's fantasy, "Quests" will be an introduction to works and authors they may have missed. Taking a chronological approach, "Quests" begins with the fairy-tale collections of d'Aulnoy, Perrault, and the Grimms, and works its way up to the novels of J.K. Rowling and Garth Nix, covering over three centuries of fantasy read by children. The lives of 95 authors are looked at and placed in historical context, while their works are introduced through both synopses and analysis. "Quests" also includes chapters on Tolkien, retellings of traditional stories, and "King Arthur" and "Robin Hood".
More than 500 works are discussed, and the thorough index makes the book a practical reference resource as well as a history and an introduction to the best in the genre.