41 pages 1 hour read

E. Nesbit

Five Children and It

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1996

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

E. Nesbit's Five Children and It follows a group of siblings who discover a cantankerous sand fairy, or Psammead, that grants them one daily wish. Each wish results in unintended consequences, teaching the children valuable lessons about life and the complexities of their desires.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

E. Nesbit's Five Children and It captivates readers with its imaginative plot and endearing characters, delighting children and nostalgic adults. Praised for its whimsical adventures and moral undertones, the book's outdated language and colonial perspectives may detract for some modern readers. Overall, it remains a charming classic in children's literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Five Children and It?

A reader who enjoys Five Children and It by E. Nesbit would likely appreciate classic children's literature with elements of adventure and fantasy. Fans of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis or Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll would find its imaginative storytelling and whimsical charm appealing.

RecommendedReading Age

8-12years

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

Fantasy

Action / Adventure

Period

Edwardian Era

Themes

Life/Time: Childhood & Youth

Relationships: Siblings

Values/Ideas: Power & Greed