Initially published in The Strand Magazine, which explains its episodic nature, Five Children and It was later collected into a book. Like many of E. Nesbit's works, it has proven popular with children and adults to this day. It has been adapted into a TV series, a musical, a film, and even an anime series.In this story, five siblings encounter an ancient magical creature in a gravel pit. The Psammead, as it calls itself, grants each of them a wish per day, with the restriction that it ends at sunset. As expected, all of the children's wishes go comically wrong, and it's up to them to solve the problems they created.E. Nesbit's enduring popularity is due in large part to the way she addresses children. Like Lewis Carrol and Kenneth Grahame, she engages children seriously, tapping into their imagination without any condescension. C. S. Lewis admired her, and the grumpy (but kind) sand-sorcerer Psamathos in Roverandom, a story J. R. R. Tolkien wrote for his own children, bears a striking resemblance to the Psammead-indeed, an early version of the story featured the creature itself!Perfect for readers who love timeless tales of magic and adventure, this beloved classic combines the wonder of wish-fulfillment with the delightful chaos that ensues when children's dreams come true. E. Nesbit's masterful storytelling and enduring charm make this essential reading for anyone seeking a magical escape that has captivated generations of readers worldwide.