Childhood, Agency, and Fantasy

This scholarly work bridges the social sciences and humanities to explore the vital role of fantasy in children's lives, examining how imaginative worlds foster agency, identity, and emotional understanding. Through an analysis of various texts, the book investigates central childhood concepts like friendship, family, and belonging, framing fantasy not as an escape but as a crucial space for children to navigate their realities and dreams. It positions the genre as a powerful medium through which children can experiment with loyalty, citizenry, and their own sense of self. This interdisciplinary approach provides a nuanced lens for understanding how children actively use fantasy to construct their worlds.

The book's distinctive strength lies in its serious consideration of children's imaginative lives as a legitimate site of social and emotional development, making it a valuable resource for academics, educators, and advanced students in childhood studies. By anchoring its exploration in humanities texts, it offers rich, concrete examples of how fantasy empowers children, moving beyond abstract theory to show the mechanics of agency in action. Parents and professionals seeking a deeper comprehension of children's inner worlds will find its insights illuminating, ultimately challenging readers to recognize the profound work happening when a child walks in other worlds.