Five Children and It

Written by E. Nesbit

Grade:

3-5

ISBN-13:

978-0141321615

Publisher:

Puffin (2008)

After moving to the countryside, five siblings begin to explore their new surroundings and soon discover an ancient sand fairy called a Psammead. The irritable Psammead offers to grant the children a wish each day, and the adventures that follow become a learning experience for the siblings. The children’s wishes are often not well thought out and reflect the nature of childhood curiosity, and as a result, the children find themselves in humorous or chaotic situations. As the children repeatedly experience the unintended consequences that arise from their own wishes, they begin to learn valuable lessons concerning responsibility, deliberation, friendship, and more. Demonstrating a unique perspective on the "helpfulness" of magic, this delightful fantasy is filled with humor, adventure, whimsy, and moral growth.