In this conclusion to the Psammead Trilogy, Cyril, Anthea, Robert, and Jane are reunited with the cantankerous Sand-fairy. While the old creature can’t grant them wishes anymore, it points them towards an old Egyptian amulet that can grant their hearts’ desire—in this case the return of their parents and baby brother. While their amulet is only half of a whole, it still acts as a time portal which they use to visit locales like Ancient Egypt, Babylon, Atlantis, and even a utopian future in search of the missing other half. Perhaps one of E. Nesbit’s most personal works, The Story of the Amulet benefited from her interest in the ancient world, particularly Egypt. With the help of A. E. Wallis Budge, to whom the book is dedicated—then Head of the Assyrian Departments of the British Museum and translator of the Egyptian Book of the Dead—she conducted extensive research on the topic and is thus able to bring an exquisite attention to detail. For example, the titular amulet is shaped after the tyet, an Egyptian symbol also known as the “knot of Isis.” Likewise, the inscription at the back of the amulet is written in authentic Egyptian hieroglyphs. A staunch supporter of democratic socialism and a founding member of the Fabian Society, E. Nesbit cultivated friendships with other like-minded writers, such as George Bernard Shaw and H. G. Wells, whose influence on this book is easy to notice. She practiced what she preached, so much so that despite her literary successes, her acts of charity brought her close to bankruptcy. These political beliefs are prominently displayed in the book. The children encounter memorable characters during their adventures, chief among them the Queen of Babylon, who causes quite a stir when she later pays them a call in their contemporary London. When the visiting Queen witnesses the squalid living conditions of the London working class, she’s amazed at how poorly they’re treated compared to the slaves of her own Babylon. Likewise, the utopian future—which features a wink to her friend H. G. Wells, the “great reformer”—is a striking contrast in terms of the happiness, care, and education of the general populace. The book’s legacy can be found in the works of other writers. Most notably, C. S. Lewis incorporated several elements in his Chronicles of Narnia: the Calormene civilization of The Horse and His Boy draws heavily from The Amulet’s Babylon, and the episode in The Magician’s Nephew where Jadis, the White Witch, causes chaos during her short stay in London is also a direct homage to the aforementioned visit from the Queen. The format of these stories, where a group of people take their audience on adventures through time and space to learn about distant cultures, is an uncanny precursor to the popular British TV series Doctor Who. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.

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. Written by both established and new scholars in England, Canada, and the United States, the essays in this collection employ differing critical strategies and place Nesbit in various contexts to assess her achievement. --form publisher description.

Five British children discover in their new carpet an egg, which hatches into a phoenix that takes them on a series of fantastic adventures around the world.

"The Story of the Amulet" by E. Nesbit is a mesmerizing and enchanting tale that takes readers on a thrilling journey through time and imagination. Join a group of adventurous children-Cyril, Anthea, Robert, and Jane-as they embark on an extraordinary quest with a mystical amulet that has the power to transport them through history. As the children uncover the amulet's ancient secrets, they find themselves whisked away to different eras, encountering legendary figures and witnessing pivotal moments in history. From Ancient Egypt to Renaissance London, and even to the future, each destination presents its own set of challenges and wonders. With the help of the magical amulet, the children navigate treacherous obstacles, solve riddles, and face their fears, all while striving to make the world a better place. Along the way, they discover the true meaning of friendship, courage, and the importance of using their powers responsibly. E. Nesbit's masterful storytelling captures the imagination with rich descriptions, vivid characters, and a sense of wonder. Through thrilling adventures and unexpected twists, readers are immersed in a captivating tapestry of history and fantasy. "The Story of the Amulet" is a timeless classic that delights readers of all ages, inspiring them to dream, imagine, and believe in the power of magic.

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.

Soon to be a MAJOR MOTION PICTURE starring Michael Caine, Russell Brand and Matthew Goode, released on Sky Cinema in APRIL. Rosalind is the eldest sister. Robbie is her younger brother. Smash is their stepsister and she isn't too happy about it. Maudie is the baby of the family. Now you've met the four children. But what is IT? A number one bestselling story of four children who discover an extraordinary way to make wishes come true, inspired by E Nesbit's classic, Five Children and It.

ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WRITERS TO HAVE EVER LIVED 'Endlessly surprising and inventive' FRANK COTTRELL-BOYCE 'My all-time favourite classic children's author' JACQUELINE WILSON 'She speaks to the reader, and it's almost as though you can hear her voice' QUENTIN BLAKE No matter how hard the Bastable children try to be good, they almost always fail spectacularly. Whether making a disastrous Christmas pudding for charity, spending a dark night in an empty windmill or fortune-telling at a fete, the Bastable children cannot help getting into all sorts of mischief. A collection that will be coveted by children and adults alike, this list is the best in children's literature, curated by Virago. 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), L. M. Montgomery (The Anne of Green Gables series) and Susan Coolidge (The What Katy Did Trilogy). Discover Virago Children's Classics.

An epic, heart-wrenching follow-on from E. Nesbit's Five Children and It stories. The five children have grown up and World War I has begun in earnest. 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, for the first time in 10 years, 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 ambulance drivers, and the people left at home, and the war's impact will be felt right at the heart of their family.

The sequel to Five Children and It follows the wondrous adventures of Robert, Jane, Cyril, Anthea, and The Lamb as they discover a clever phoenix and a magic carpet. The children find an egg in the carpet, which hatches into a talking Phoenix. The Phoenix explains that the carpet is a magic one that will grant them three wishes a day. The children are on a fantastic ride with the hopelessly vain but good-hearted phoenix and his flying carpet. They travel to a French castle, to a tropical island, foil a burglar, arrange a marriage, change people's disposition, and have to figure out how to get 199 Persian cats, 398 muskrats, a cow, and a policeman out of their house. Their charming adventures not only entertain but teach them, and the reader, a few gentle lessons." The Phoenix and the Carpet"" is a wonderful book for the young and the young at heart. The adventures are continued and concluded in the third book of the trilogy, "The Story of the Amulet"