I read a lot to my kids and there was a fair bit of fantasy in there. I eventually did LotR with the elder one and it took about a year to get through. It is hard work in places with the songs and stuff, but still an epic tale. I've read it a couple times for myself. The movies are a slightly different thing as there are a lot of changes, but it's the old tale of good and evil. I don't think you need religion to understand the difference.

One of the kids still reads a lot, so there was partial success in that. They happen to be a PhD scientist :)