One of the most obvious differences between fiction and fantasy stories is the setting. Fantasy stories are well-known for their fantastical and imaginary cities, worlds and universes they take place in. One classic example is "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien. General fiction may take place in settings that exist in the here-and-now world. In some fantasy stories, events occur partially in the real world, and partially in a make-believe world, such as in Charles De Lint's "Newford" series and C.S. Lewis's "Chronicles of Narnia".
During fantasy stories, challenged, smaller, weaker individuals are often thrown into a series of events that see them stepping onto the path of the great hero, gaining power and recognition on the quest to beat impossible odds. Fantasy author Tamara Pierce states that fantasy is a literature of empowerment, in an essay published in "Only Connect, 3rd Edition" in 1996. Children who have little authority or power in their own lives respond well to this recurring theme in fantasy.
Fantasy stories are a rich source of symbols and metaphors drawn from traditional folklore, fairy tales, legends and religious stories. According to John Goldthwaite, author of "The Natural History of the Make-Believe," Tolkien took inspiration from many Celtic and Icelandic legends when writing his Middle-earth saga. Susan Cooper, author of "The Dark Is Rising" series, based many of her books around traditional Welsh mythology, and Charles De Lint uses Native American folk tales in his book "The Onion Girl."
Fantasy stories contain a rich cast of characters that can often be surprising, magical and wondrous. In "The Dark is Rising" by Susan Cooper, readers get to meet Merlin living in modern day England, while in "Harry Potter" there is an entire school filled with witches, wizards and wonders. General children's fiction is bound by restraints to include that which is believable, and fits in with the world as we know it. Fantasy stories have the flexibility and freedom to include just about any sort of character.