'I love her books - particularly the Five Children and It
sequence' - Neil Gaiman
Digging in the gravel pit on a hot summer's day, five children discover
'it': a grumpy creature with eyes like a snail's, ears like a bat's, and
a tubby body all covered in fur. 'It' is a Psammead, an ancient
sand-fairy who has the power to grant the children one wish a day.
That, you might think, would be a dream come true! But you need to be
very careful what you wish for: whether it's for wings, treasure or
beauty, things can - and often will - go wrong.
With all the illustrations by H. R. Millar, newly scanned from the
original edition.
Five Children and It is the first book in the Psammead trilogy: next,
discover The Phoenix and the Carpet and The Story of the Amulet.
'The cheerful, child-centred anarchy of Five Children and It is
still my inspiration and delight' Kate Saunders, Guardian
'My all-time favourite classic children's author' Jacqueline Wilson
'If Britain is to children's fantasy as Brazil is to football, then
Edith Nesbit is our Pele - endlessly surprising and inventive. But she
is more than that. There were fantasy writers before Edith Nesbit but
she is the one that brought the magical and the mundane together in a
moment of nuclear fusion. She opened the door in the magic wardrobe,
pointed the way to platform nine and three quarters. She even had a hand
in building the Tardis. And these are among her minor achievements. She
is also simply the funniest writer we have ever had, while being the one
who could most easily and sweetly break your heart with a phrase. Just
try saying Daddy oh my Daddy without catching your breath. She made the
magic worlds feel as near as the Lewisham Road and she bathed the
Lewisham Road in magic' Frank Cottrell-Boyce
This collection of the best in children's literature, curated by
Virago, will be coveted by children and adults alike. These are timeless
tales with beautiful covers, that will be treasured and shared across
the generations. Some titles you will already know; some will be new to
you, but there are stories for everyone to love, whatever your age. Our
list includes Nina Bawden (Carrie's War, The Peppermint Pig), Rumer
Godden (The Dark Horse, An Episode of Sparrows), Joan Aiken (The
Serial Garden, The Gift Giving) E. Nesbit (The Psammead Trilogy, The
Bastable Trilogy, The Railway Children), Frances Hodgson Burnett (The
Little Princess, The Secret Garden) and Susan Coolidge (The What
Katy Did Trilogy). Discover Virago Children's Classics.
