Five Children and It

Five Children and It is a fantasy novel written by Edith Nesbit and first published in 1902.

This book, which is the beginning of a trilogy, introduces us to the following set of siblings: Anthea, Robert, Cyril, Jane and a baby they name the Lamb. They live in the Kent countryside, in close proximity to a quarry and a gravel pit.

One day, near the sand quarry, they discover a sand fairy named Psammead who is able to grant a wish every day. However, she is somewhat grumpy and is perversely literal in granting the children's wishes, leading to unexpected consequences.

What at first excites the kids, gradually leads them to realize that their wishes are whimsical things and that we must think very carefully about what we wish for before we ask for it. Every day the fairy provides a new wish and this leads to a series of adventures for the group of youngsters.