A Ride Through Fantasyland

Unpublished correction: The name of Rodgers in Rodgers and Hammerstein is misspelled in this story.

Children slip easily into flights of fancy. Imagination isn’t a stretch; it’s always at hand. That’s why much of the favorite literature of childhood is full of fairies and dragons and unicorns. Here are some enchanting new books about lands of fantasy.

“Unicorn Dreams,” by Dyan Sheldon

The first time Dan sees the unicorn, it’s outside his classroom window. He tries to show his teacher and classmates, but they can’t see it. When he sees the unicorn out the school bus window, and on the playfield the other kids taunt him, “Dreamy Dan! Dreamy Dan!”

Dan sees the unicorn everywhere, and even rides it to school one day through an enchanted forest. But no one else can see the unicorn until one afternoon at story time. “Would anyone like to tell a story today?” asks the teacher.

Dan’s eyes light up, and he raises his hand. When he spins his magical story, the whole class finally sees the beautiful creature.

With lovely light-filled watercolors by Neil Reed, this book offers a nice lesson about story, imagination and appreciating those who dance to their own music. (Dial. ages 4 and up, 32 pgs., $14.99)

“Glass Town,” by Michael Bedard

Quite possibly “Dreamy Dan” will grow up to be a writer. Many writers had rich fantasy lives as children. “Glass Town” tells the story of the three Bronte sisters and their brother, who invented an imaginary saga that carried into their adult years. Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell Bronte were raised in an austere home in the vast English moors. They spent hours creating plays for their wooden soldiers, and writing a hundred miniature books in microscopic hand.

Lovely, rich oil paintings by Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobson portray the world of the English moors and the children’s imaginary world. The Bronte sisters, of course, were responsible for such classics as “Jane Eyre,” “Wuthering Heights” and “Agnes Grey.” Bedard is also the author of a wonderful picture book “Emily” about poet Emily Dickinson. (Atheneum, ages 6 and up, 40 pgs, $16)

“The Traveler: A Magical Journey,” by Daniel Page Schallau, told by James Keller

This is the story of a bored young boy who, with his grandfather’s help, is swept into a fantasy world he discovers is a product of his own imagination. He learns the lesson that he never needs to be bored, as long as he has his own mind to play with. The story would be like many others, were it not for Schallau’s ink and colored pencil drawings, which are fantastic. Teeming with detail, they invite children to spend hours looking and finding. Early in the book, the pictures are mostly black and white, reflecting Tor’s uninteresting view of the world.

As the boy’s world becomes more fanciful, rainbow hues are added on each page.

This is far more an illustrator’s book than a writer’s, as the publisher acknowledges by listing Schallau’s name first. But in this case, awesome illustrations and a passable story combine to create a satisfying book.

Schallau lives in Portland. (The Greenwich Workshop, all ages, 32 pgs., $15.95.)

“Bearskin,” by Howard Pyle

This old tale of a boy abandoned and lovingly raised by a she-bear is given new life by Caldecott-Medal illustrator Trina Schart Hyman (“St. George and the Dragon”). The story has everything a fantasy-loving child would want: a strong brave hero, beautiful princess and three-headed dragon.

The illustrations are wonderful and include an extraordinary feature for a fairy tale.

As in the recent Rogers and Hammerstein television production of “Cinderella,” the characters are a mix of cultures. Bearskin is Asian, the princess is of African descent, and the minor players a wonderful melting pot of races and colors. And yes, they live happily ever after. (Morrow, ages 4 and up, 32 pgs., $16.)

“The Paper Dragon,” by Margaret W. Davol

Mi Fei, a humble painter of heroic scenes, gets a chance to save the day in this original Chinese tale.

The artist loves his village and is considered by his fellow villagers to be the wisest among them.

So when a ferocious dragon, Sui Jen, awakens from a hundred-year sleep, Mi Fei is enlisted to save the village. He returns the dragon to its slumber by using the mighty forces of art and love.

Robert Sabuda made the gorgeous paper-cut gatefold illustrations using tissue paper he painted himself, pasted onto handmade Japanese Sugikawashi paper.

Sabuda is well-known for his intricate artwork in the pop-up books “A Christmas Alphabet,” “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and “Cookie Count.” (Atheneum, ages 3 and up, 32 pgs., $17.)

“Baba Yaga & the Wise Doll,” retold by Hiawyn Oram

Horrid Child and Very Horrid Child send Too Nice to kidnap one of the witch Baba Yaga’s child-gobbling toads. Baba Yaga sees the girl coming and plans a series of impossible tests, which she must pass - or be gobbled by a toad. She passes the tests and in the arduous process transforms herself into “Just About Right.”

This is a nicely written retelling of the fun and scary traditional Russian fairy tale, with wonderful illustrations by Ruth Brown. (Dutton, ages 4 and up, 32 pgs., $15.99)

ILLUSTRATION: 4 Color Photos