In the post entitled How Do You Choose What to Read, we talked about learning to be discerning in your book choices. As a family, you will develop your own ideas of what constitutes a good book worthy to be read aloud. Five Children and It by Edith Nesbit provides, I think, an opportunity to examine this topic.
You see, I almost didn’t read this book. In the opening pages of the book, you are introduced to a pre-historic sand fairy, called a Psammead. The idea of a pre-historic creature being front and center in a story didn’t initially seem worthwhile. But in this case, I decided to trust the source that recommended this book. And it became a family favorite from the first read.
A family from London rented a house out in the country for the summertime. To the children’s delight, it was situated between a quarry on one side and a gravel pit on the other. One morning, the children set out to explore the gravel pit. While attempting to dig a hole to Australia, they unintentionally uncover a sand fairy instead. The sand fairy grants to the children one wish per day which lasts until the sun sets. The children very quickly learn that to get what you wish for does not always turn out as you would hope.
What would you wish for if you had the chance?
The children have great intentions but with disastrous results. They first wish to be beautiful. As a result, the nursery maid does not recognize them and turns them away at the door without their dinner. Then the children wish to be wealthy. But instead of asking for current British currency, they ask for gold coins. The coins cannot be used at the local shops. They go on to have some rather rollicking adventures. One leaves them stranded atop a church tower after sunset. Another leaves them battling to save their castle that is under siege. While reading The Last of the Mohicans, Cyril wishes for a chance to fight against a band of Indian warriors. The ensuing battle, though chock full of humor, may also require your discretion before reading.
We enjoyed Five Children and It by Edith Nesbit. For us, it was an imaginative and hilariously funny book. For this reason, I offer you this recommendation of Five Children and It. But I also offer it with the caution that you get to decide, like I did, if the book is for you. For another favorite book written by Edith Nesbit, you can read the review of The Railway Children here.