Curious to see if people on the other side of the globe walk upside down, Robert, Anthea, Cyril, Jane, and their baby brother start digging a hole to Australia. They don’t get too far, however, before they dig up a furry brown creature with bat’s ears. It is a Psammead, an ancient Sand-fairy. The Sammyadd, as the children call it, grumpily tells them that he is obliged to grant their wishes, because making people’s wishes come true is what Sand-fairies do. However, there is one catch: the wishes come undone at sunset. No matter how carefully the children plan, their wishes keep backfiring, and they realize that you have to be careful what you wish for—you may get it.
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"Loved this book. Loved loved loved loved it. Not very often does a children's book move me or make me smile much but this one grabbed my heart and funny bone from chapter one. Nesbit's writing style is engaging and funny with much wit and charm. I don't want to give away much of the story (that is one of the wonderful delights in this book) but despite the moral lessons, this book is entertainment from beginning to end. I can't wait to continue the adventures."
— Jake (5 out of 5 stars)
“The faithful depiction of the children and the horrendous bish-ups they make with the best of intentions keep Nesbit’s [tale] timeless.”
— Guardian (London)“The golden standard for magical wishes gone wrong.”
— School Library Journal“Their first time in the country is filled with magical escapades for five children in this classic tale of adventure…[A] humorous story about magic in the real world.”
— Children’s Literature“The perfect children’s story…uniquely satisfying…timeless.”
— Examiner.com" Thanks Dr. Chapman. Now I think I know what my Papa and Mama's love languages are, I can love them better :) "
— Duc, 2/15/2014" I know this is a classic but it was written so long ago the children bear no resemblance to kids now and I found them a bit irritating. The film with Eddie Izzard was much better :) "
— Noeleen, 2/14/2014" Very good book! I thought I had a perfect marriage but now I think it can get even better! "
— Dale, 2/12/2014" This is a must read for everyone! "
— Jen, 2/11/2014" The format was different than I expected. It was an interesting read. "
— Carrie, 2/8/2014" This book had changed my marriage. I never realized how different I am from my husband in how I express and receive love. Should be mandatory reading for couples. "
— Kim, 2/7/2014" A very nice English children's classic. Definitely worth a read. "
— Colleen, 2/6/2014" It's a great book. I learned a lot. Gary Chapman gives many examples how to understand someone's love language and how express love to another person. The things that I learned from this book helped me in my everyday-life. "
— Regina, 1/27/2014" I always recommend this for married couples. I think it is a great book. "
— Barb, 1/20/2014" Must Read! My overall number 1 book. "
— Joe, 1/18/2014" I don't care that it's dated. I don't care that Nesbit wrote about things that might be (now-a-days) considered politically incorrect. I don't care that the POV shifts. I found Five Children and It, delightful and laughed out loud several times. 'Nough said. "
— Bish, 1/16/2014" Five children go down to the sandpits and find a mysterious furry being who can grant wishes! Their plans go awry, as always with the most well-laid plans . . . "
— Nix, 1/10/2014" Definitely reminicent of the Edward Eager books I read as a kid (and one of which I'll be re-reading for class in the next couple of weeks. "
— Hannah, 1/10/2014" One of my favorite books. Funny, sweet, and fantastical. "
— Emma, 1/10/2014" A must-read for all couples. So happy my husband and I speak the same love language. :-) "
— Karla, 1/9/2014" It's an older book so I think it would be harder for kids to understand that time period. It was an ok read though. "
— Kayleen, 12/31/2013" great book! understanding the way you want to be loved and learning how to express your love appropriately to some one else is so key to relationships!! Chapman clearly breaks down each of the love languages and gives helpful advice on how to communicate them! "
— Gem, 12/24/2013" A whole new definition of love! "
— Maggie, 12/23/2013" Great book! It helps you to really understand your significant other, or even someone important in your life. I would recommend this to anyone looking at getting married. "
— Sarah, 12/23/2013" If anyone is having relationship problems. Read this book. "
— Crystal, 12/9/2013" This is definitely a book for the younger kid. It was a good story, but a little too simple for an adult. My daugter will love it when she reads it. "
— Jessica, 11/30/2013" I was curious because I a few people I know have read it. It had some good points, but was overly cheesy, in my opinion. "
— Wendy, 11/29/2013" Classic children's story that's rather science-fictiony. Somewhat similar in style to The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, but with its own twists. "
— Sarah, 11/28/2013" I wouldn't call it a masterwork, but it was quite clever. Very episodic, but I understand that it was originally a magazine serial. Very enjoyable! "
— Tim, 11/26/2013" This was a simple read and will help you understand how to have better relationships with everyone, not just your spouse. "
— Sarah, 11/21/2013" Oh, I do wish I had read this as a child and I do wish I had wings! "
— Kirei, 10/6/2013" My wife and I include this book as part of every wedding gift we give!!! "
— Joseph, 9/13/2013" love, Love, LOVE any and all by E. Nesbit! Classic stories and characters. I would pee in my pants to have a NF/F 1st edition in my clutches of any of her books... "
— Betsy, 7/30/2013" One of the best books on understanding not only your spouse, but many people around you!!! "
— Faith, 7/3/2013" A good, clean fantasy book written during the (19th century?) Children have amazingly good manners, and learn that having what you wish for isn't always what you think it is. "
— Amanda, 6/19/2013" This was a cute little book, very innocent and quaint. The moralizing was a bit heavy-handed maybe, but not really bothersome. "
— Nikki, 6/12/2013" A valid concept but not ground breaking. Each chapter got too repetitive, this could have been a much shorter book. "
— Hirally, 3/30/2013" I found the book very insightful and cant wait to get started using some of his suggestions "
— Sheliny, 2/13/2013" Wonderful book! I can only say:"If you want to get to know yourself more, read this book!". It`s totally worth it! "
— Cristina, 2/4/2013" We love this movie but the book was so boring and really didn't capture the magical feel of the movie. "
— Dana, 1/16/2013" Who knew?!!! I really enjoyed finding out my "love language" with my husband. We kinda read this together and knew just which language we needed. "
— Sandra, 12/28/2012" One of my all-time favorites. "
— Ann, 9/13/2012" It was hard for me to get into, but I enjoyed it and it was memorable. I think it was the culture difference. I persevered though and was glad I did finish it. "
— Micah, 8/9/2012" Absolutely one of my favorite books. This book not only helped me understand relationship but myself as well. "
— Jennifer, 8/4/2012" Easy read and helps to communicate with others. Always good to hear another's prospective about things. Good refresher book. "
— Alberta, 7/31/2012" Ed and I listened to this on a trip and both found it very helpful. After listening, we understood that we were very different people who liked different things and that there were lots of different ways to make each other happy. "
— Nita, 7/13/2012" This book was so eye opening. I really wish someone had told me about it 8 years ago. I recommend it to all couples and single people as well. This information can be used for each and every relationship. If I could give this book to everyone I know, I would! "
— Desirai, 6/23/2012" awesome, informative, wish I had read this book years agao "
— Dana, 4/29/2012" It's unfortunate that this book begins with so much fluff trying to sell itself. Jim and Mary read this book and it saved their marriage, etc etc. It was kind of a turnoff, but the concepts later in the book are GREAT. "
— Marie, 4/20/2012" A really good way to look at how we communicate and receive love. Makes a lot of sense and has opened up some communication in my marriage that has been very helpful. "
— Mel, 3/17/2012Edith Nesbit (1858–1924) lived in England and had dreamed of becoming a poet since she was fifteen years old. After her husband fell ill, it was up to her to support her small family. For the next nineteen years, she wrote novels, essays, articles, poems, and short stories; but it was not until 1899, when The Story of the Treasure Seekers was published, that she achieved great success. Her groundbreaking style of depicting realistic, believable children quickly gained a popularity that has lasted for more than a century.
Johanna Ward (a.k.a. Kate Reading) is an Audie Award–winning narrator and has received numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine. She is also a theater actor in the Washington, DC, area and has been a member of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company since 1987. Her work onstage has been recognized by the Helen Hayes Awards Society, among others. She and her husband live in Hyattsville, Maryland, with their two children.