Five Children and It

Book excerpt: First published in 1902, “Five Children and It” is a children's novel by English writer and poet E. Nesbit. The story follows the five children Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane, and the “Lamb” and their adventures resulting from the discovery of a sand-fairy that has the ability to grant wishes. A charming tale of youth and innocence, “Five Children and It” would make for perfect bedtime reading and is not to be missed by fans and collectors of Nesbit's magical children's literature. Originally published in “Strand Magazine”, the tales were made into a full-length novel trilogy also including “The Phoenix and the Carpet” (1904)” and “The Story of the Amulet” (1906). Edith Nesbit (1858 – 1924) was a prolific writer of children's literature, publishing more than 60 such books under the name E. Nesbit. She was also a political activist and co-founded the Fabian Society, which had a significant influence on the Labour Party and British politics in general. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.