Begin the chapter-book story
Start with Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King. It introduces the central conflict and is the publisher's official book #1.
Book Series · 5 Books
The Guardians Books
In order from Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King to Jack Frost.
Five richly illustrated chapter books imagine how Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, and Jack Frost became guardians.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read The Guardians Books
Read the five chapter books in the publisher's numbered order, beginning with Nicholas St. North and ending with Jack Frost. The conflict with Pitch and the characters' shared history continue from one adventure to the next.
William Joyce also created picture books about the Guardians of Childhood. They share the larger mythology, but Simon & Schuster lists the five novels as the complete Guardians chapter-book series, so the picture books are not extra numbered volumes on this page.
Sources: Simon & Schuster's official Guardians series page, William Joyce's official book catalog.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
These illustrated fantasies include a Nightmare King, shadow creatures, kidnapped children, weapons, magical battles, and characters in danger. The suspense can be spooky, but humor, wonder, and the Guardians' teamwork keep the tone aimed at readers ages 7–11.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$858
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2011
Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King
By William Joyce (Author/Illustrator), Laura Geringer
A daring swordsman faces nightmares to save a village and find fellow Guardians.
256 pages· 27,318 words· Est. 4 hour read
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Nicholas St. North, a legendary swordsman, seeks treasure in Santoff Claussen but finds a village plagued by nightmares. With the Nightmare King spreading fear, North must choose between fortune and heroism. As shadows threaten, he embarks on a quest to unite with five other Guardians. Can North overcome his own fears and rally the Guardians in time to save the village? Dive into a world where courage battles darkness, and legends are born.
In reading order
The Guardians Series
5 books · Published 2011–2015
#1
Sale price
$858
Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2011
A daring swordsman faces nightmares to save a village and find fellow Guardians.
#2
Sale price
$858
E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core!
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2012
A warrior rabbit must stop a hidden threat before it's too late.
#3
Sale price
$858
Toothiana, Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2012
A scorned Tooth Fairy holds childhood memories that could change everything.
#4
Sale price
$858
The Sandman and the War of Dreams
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2013
A missing girl and a vanished foe challenge the Guardians to recruit a sleepy legend for help.
#5
Sale price
$858
Jack Frost
Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 2015
An old enemy returns, testing the Guardians' powers and Jack Frost's hidden past.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Guardians series?
There are 5 books in the Guardians series. It began with Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King in 2011, and the newest book, Jack Frost, was published in 2015.
What order should you read the Guardians books in?
Start with Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #5.
What ages are the Guardians books best for?
The series is best for ages 7–11, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Guardians book is the longest?
Jack Frost (Book #5) is the longest book in the series at 40,551 words (48 pages).
Which Guardians book is the shortest?
Toothiana, Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies (Book #3) is the shortest at 25,817 words (256 pages).
The people
The Creatives Behind the Books
The people who bring The Guardians to life.
Keep exploring
Similar Series
Ivy
Ages 7–10
Unicorn Academy
Ages 7–9
The Secret Rescuers
Ages 7–10
Magic Tree House Super Edition
Ages 7–10
Key Hunters
Ages 7–10
She-Ra
Ages 7–10
The Secrets of Droon: Special Edition
Ages 7–10
Fairy Realm
Ages 6–10