Five Children and It

When Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane, and their baby brother Lamb move to a white house in the countryside, they expect only fresh air and freedom. Instead, they discover a grumpy, ancient creature in a gravel pit: the Psammead, a sand-fairy with the power to grant their wishes. But each wish lasts only until sunset, and the consequences are never quite what they expect. They wish for wings, for beauty, for treasure, and for a castle besieged by enemies – and each time the magic brings chaos, laughter, and hard-won lessons. Told in warm, clear prose that captures the spirit of Nesbit's original, this retelling preserves every adventure, every mishap, and the timeless truth that the best things cannot be wished for. Part of Timeless Classics.