Set outside the real world, fantasy fiction provides a filter through which children can read about issues that might otherwise feel more frightening.

Quest stories are about heroes facing challenges. A quest can be both physical - a journey - and spiritual or psychological - perhaps a rite of passage or growth in self-identity - but it is never for riches or adventure for their own sake. Some heroes are not on quests, just adventures!

Learning activities

Students can combine fantasy and imagination to create a fantastic world. In groups or individually, have students explore the idea of creating a quest with a purpose.

In this task, students might:

• create plot tension through imaginative language
• create a language of symbols
• create a writing wall with post-it notes to map the sequence of their ideas
• incorporate the correct use of punctuation and language as part of the task
• include characters to support the main protagonist/s.