Five Children Series by E. Nesbit, Edith Nesbit, Raymond E. Jones, Kate Saunders

"Five Children and It" is the enduringly popular children's tale by English author Edith Nesbit, also well-known for her classic story "The Railway Children". First published in 1902 in "Strand Magazine", "Five Children and It" is a magical story that cleverly illustrates the wisdom of the saying "be careful what you wish for"... more"Five Children and It" is the enduringly popular children's tale by English author Edith Nesbit, also well-known for her classic story "The Railway Children". First published in 1902 in "Strand Magazine", "Five Children and It" is a magical story that cleverly illustrates the wisdom of the saying "be careful what you wish for". The novel begins when five siblings, who have recently moved from London to a house in the country, discover Psammead, a sand fairy, in a gravel pit where they are playing. Psammead is a strange looking and grumpy creature who has the power to make wishes come true. He promises to grant the children one magical wish per day with the rule that each wish ends at sunset. The children soon discover that their wishes never turn out exactly as they had imagined, as their choices often lead to unexpected mishaps and adventures, including dangerous encounters with wild people, kidnapping attempts, a narrow escape from a besieged castle, and humorous changes in their appearance and size. "Five Children and It" has inspired many adaptations and sequels and remains an entertaining and enduring classic tale of fantasy and adventure. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper. less

The four children acquired the magic carpet when they found a special fire egg -- it hatched in their nursery fireplace. The phoenix came from the egg, and when he saw their mother's new Persian rug, he showed them that it was a magical thing -- a flying carpet that would take them any time and that place they could wish for. Witty, genuine, full of timeless sympathy and childish sensibility, _The Phoenix and the Carpet_ offers a special ride through wonders for children of all ages... moreThe four children acquired the magic carpet when they found a special fire egg -- it hatched in their nursery fireplace. The phoenix came from the egg, and when he saw their mother's new Persian rug, he showed them that it was a magical thing -- a flying carpet that would take them any time and that place they could wish for. Witty, genuine, full of timeless sympathy and childish sensibility, _The Phoenix and the Carpet_ offers a special ride through wonders for children of all ages. (Jacketless library hardcover.) less

You will eat your breakfast before it's cold, won't you?' said Anthea. 'Yes, we had a splendid time. The charm made it all dark, and then greeny light, and then it spoke. Oh! I wish you could have heard it--it was such a darling voice--and it told us the other half of it was lost in the Past, so of course we shall have to look for it there!'

Three wonderful volumes of classic, fantastical childrens fictionEveryone familiar with children’s fiction has heard of Edith Nesbit, who is rightly acclaimed as the first modern writer for children and the originator of the children’s adventure story... moreThree wonderful volumes of classic, fantastical childrens fictionEveryone familiar with children’s fiction has heard of Edith Nesbit, who is rightly acclaimed as the first modern writer for children and the originator of the children’s adventure story. Her influence on other children’s writers, including those active and popular today is undeniable, not least because her stories feature believable contemporary children journeying to imaginary worlds and times for adventures with fantastical creatures and magical objects. Of consistently high quality, her writing is enthralling, direct and immediately engaging—so much so that many adults remember them fondly and re-read them throughout their lives. Leonaur has gathered together the three principal series of Nesbit’s fiction in good value editions for new readers and for those for whom their nostalgia is irresistible. The Psammead Adventures, of course, feature the magical but truculent wish granting sand-fairy discovered in a gravel-pit. The Mouldiwarp Adventures continue in similar vein as the fantastical Mouldiwarp assists two children travel through time to find a lost fortune. The wonderful Bastable series sees the widowed Oswald Bastable and his children hunting for treasure to restore their family fortunes. These three Leonaur volumes of a tales from more innocent age will be a joy to read, to read to others and to own. Illustrated and thoroughly recommended.This e-book is also available as a high quality print edition, in hardcover and paperback, from Leonaur. less

The year 2006 marks the hundredth anniversary of book publication of the final volume of the Psammead trilogy-Five Children and It (1902), The Phoenix and the Carpet (1904), and The Story of the Amulet (1906)-a remarkable series of fantasy novels for children by an equally remarkable writer, Edith Nesbit... moreThe year 2006 marks the hundredth anniversary of book publication of the final volume of the Psammead trilogy-Five Children and It (1902), The Phoenix and the Carpet (1904), and The Story of the Amulet (1906)-a remarkable series of fantasy novels for children by an equally remarkable writer, Edith Nesbit. In this trilogy, Nesbit combined fantasy and history with the domestic realism and humor of her Bastable books-The Story of the Treasure Seekers (1899), The Wouldbegoods (1901), and The New Treasure Seekers (1904)-the books that established her reputation as one of England's preeminent writers for children. By doing so, she not only earned popularity with several generations of child readers, but she also established her claim to a position in the pantheon of important writers for children. The essays collected in this volume celebrate the completion of the Psammead trilogy. Written by both established and new scholars in England, Canada, and the United States, these essays employ differing critical strategies and place Nesbit in various contexts to assess her achievement. In producing books with memorable comic moments, character-testing adventures, plausible child characters with real feelings and real limitations, and interesting and challenging thematic material, Nesbit produced in the Psammead trilogy books that children still read with enjoyment. Such fantasies truly are classics of children's literature. Teachers and students of children's literature and of British literature and culture will find this a valuable guide to critically reviewing and enjoying Nesbit's works. less

Have you ever wondered what happened to the Five Children and It characters when the First World War began?Cyril is off to fight, Anthea is at art college, Robert is a Cambridge scholar and Jane is at high school. The Lamb is the grown up age of 11, and he has a little sister, Edith, in tow. The sand fairy has become a creature of stories ... until he suddenly reappears... moreHave you ever wondered what happened to the Five Children and It characters when the First World War began?Cyril is off to fight, Anthea is at art college, Robert is a Cambridge scholar and Jane is at high school. The Lamb is the grown up age of 11, and he has a little sister, Edith, in tow. The sand fairy has become a creature of stories ... until he suddenly reappears. The siblings are pleased to have something to take their minds off the war, but this time the Psammead is here for a reason, and his magic might have a more serious purpose.Before this last adventure ends, all will be changed, and the two younger children will have seen the Great War from every possible viewpoint - factory-workers, soldiers and sailors, nurses and the people left at home, and the war's impact will be felt right at the heart of their family. less