Margaret Mahy remains one of New Zealand’s most cherished children’s authors, beloved for imaginative, emotionally rich novels such as The Haunting and The Changeover. Her books combine wonder, wit, and a strong sense of childhood perspective, which is why they continue to enchant readers across generations.
If you love Margaret Mahy’s blend of fantasy, heart, and unforgettable storytelling, these authors are well worth exploring next:
If Margaret Mahy’s inventive magic appeals to you, Diana Wynne Jones is an excellent next choice. Her novels are full of sly humor, unusual characters, and imaginative plots that effortlessly mix the fantastic with the everyday.
Jones often writes about identity, responsibility, and the surprising ways people grow into themselves. A great place to begin is Howl's Moving Castle, the story of Sophie, a young woman placed under a spell that transforms her into an old woman and sends her into a world of moving castles and unreliable wizards.
Readers drawn to Mahy’s playful energy and eccentric cast of characters may also enjoy Roald Dahl. His children’s books are mischievous, sharp, and wildly entertaining, often carrying just a hint of dark humor.
Dahl loves stories in which clever children outwit terrible adults, and his books frequently celebrate courage, fairness, and imagination. Matilda is a perfect example, following a brilliant girl with extraordinary powers as she faces off against some truly awful grown-ups.
Neil Gaiman is a strong match for readers who enjoy Mahy’s gift for bringing magic into ordinary life. His stories often begin in familiar settings before opening into worlds that are eerie, strange, and irresistible.
He frequently explores the line between childhood and adulthood, reality and imagination. In Coraline, a brave young girl discovers a secret door to an alternate world that is both enchanting and deeply unsettling.
If you enjoy Mahy’s sense of adventure and her accessible storytelling, Lloyd Alexander is well worth reading. His fantasy novels draw on myth and folklore while remaining warm, exciting, and easy to fall into.
Many of his books emphasize friendship, courage, and personal growth. The classic place to start is The Book of Three, which introduces Taran, an assistant pig-keeper who finds himself pulled into a far larger destiny.
Readers who appreciate the more reflective and thoughtful side of Mahy’s work may find a lot to love in Ursula K. Le Guin. Her fiction is elegant, emotionally resonant, and filled with ideas about balance, power, society, and human nature.
Even when tackling complex themes, Le Guin writes with remarkable clarity. A Wizard of Earthsea is a wonderful introduction, following the young mage Ged as he learns about power, pride, and the true shape of himself.
Maurice Gee, another major New Zealand writer, creates atmospheric stories that combine suspense, adventure, and sharp insight into family and character. His work often carries the same emotional seriousness that gives Mahy’s novels their lasting power.
In Under the Mountain, twins Rachel and Theo uncover a terrifying threat hidden beneath Auckland, setting off a gripping story that blends fantasy with real tension.
Joy Cowley writes children’s fiction with warmth, imagination, and a deep understanding of how young readers see the world. Her stories often celebrate wonder while gently exploring courage, empathy, and belonging.
Her novel The Silent One tells the moving story of a deaf boy and his bond with a mysterious sea turtle, offering a quiet but powerful meditation on kindness, difference, and connection.
Katherine Paterson is known for emotionally powerful books about children facing difficult, life-shaping experiences. Her writing is compassionate and honest, with a deep interest in friendship, grief, hope, and resilience.
Bridge to Terabithia is her best-known novel, and for good reason. It captures the intensity of childhood imagination and friendship while also confronting profound loss with great tenderness.
Susan Cooper writes richly imagined fantasy rooted in folklore, myth, and ancient legend. Her books often place ordinary young people at the center of timeless struggles, giving them both grandeur and emotional immediacy.
A standout introduction is The Dark is Rising, in which Will Stanton discovers that he has a vital role to play in an age-old battle between light and darkness.
Joan Aiken brings together wit, suspense, and a delightfully offbeat imagination. Her stories are often set in vivid alternate histories, where capable young protagonists must navigate danger, mystery, and wonderfully strange circumstances.
In her novel The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, brave children face wolves, villainy, and betrayal in a fast-moving adventure that is both charming and thrilling.
Eva Ibbotson writes magical adventures filled with humor, tenderness, and eccentric charm. Like Mahy, she has a gift for making fantastical ideas feel inviting rather than distant.
The Secret of Platform 13 is a lovely place to start. Built around a hidden portal in a busy train station, it offers a whimsical journey into an enchanting world populated by memorable characters.
Norton Juster will especially appeal to readers who enjoy imagination paired with wit. His stories are playful, inventive, and full of verbal cleverness, making them a natural fit for fans of Mahy’s more whimsical side.
His classic The Phantom Tollbooth sweeps readers into a world where language, logic, and nonsense collide in endlessly memorable ways.
Kate DiCamillo writes graceful, heartfelt stories that are accessible to younger readers while still carrying emotional depth. Friendship, compassion, courage, and hope lie at the center of much of her work.
In The Tale of Despereaux, a tiny mouse sets out on a quest that becomes both adventurous and deeply moving, making it a strong pick for readers who admire Mahy’s warmth and imagination.
Philip Pullman creates expansive, layered fantasy worlds filled with danger, wonder, and moral complexity. His writing has a larger scope than Mahy’s in some ways, but it shares her ability to combine adventure with emotional and intellectual depth. His acclaimed novel Northern Lights (also published as The Golden Compass)
introduces Lyra and the extraordinary journey that draws her into parallel worlds, hidden truths, and unforgettable dangers.
Cornelia Funke writes fantasy that feels vivid, immersive, and full of momentum. Her books are packed with memorable settings and strong-willed characters, and like Mahy, she makes the impossible feel wonderfully real.
Inkheart is one of her best-known novels, telling the thrilling story of what happens when characters begin stepping out of books and into the real world.
