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Five Children and It

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Five Children and It

By: E. Nesbit
Narrated by: Johanna Ward
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About this listen

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 Sandfairies 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.

Public Domain (P)1994 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Classics Literature & Fiction Classic Childrens Literature

Critic reviews

“[Nesbit is] the children’s writer with whom I most identify.” (J. K. Rowling, in O, The Oprah Magazine)
“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)
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I loved the Edith Nesbit books when I was a child. However, I think that I prefer them in book form rather than audio. The stories are very old fashioned, with alot of moralising, but there is still alot that is charming. I wasn't a big fan of the narration by Johanna Ward, as I found it too prim and twee.

Lovely old fashioned children's book

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A wonderful book to read-aloud to young children at bedtime. Each chapter covers a different small adventure. Great examples of, Be careful what you wish for, it might just come true!

A great read-aloud book

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