Realistic fiction tells a story that could have actually happened. It often deals with a real-life problem or situation and contains characters who seem ordinary. In fantasy fiction, the author asks the reader to suspend the rules of reality for the story. Fantasy stories often take place in fairyland and contain such things as talking frogs, trees with emotions, and dogs that behave like people.
A teacher should use each type because to not do so would eliminate a tremendous source of material from classroom use. There are many books of each type written for young children. In addition, fantasy allows children to stretch their imaginations and to share a unique form of literature. It can also deal with problems that are easily identified by young children.