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katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Classic wishing story (with all the perils) that doesn't feel out-of-touch.
One of my strongest memories of BBC programming in my childhood is the wonderful Five Children and It adaptation with the puppet psammead blowing wishing for the Victorian children every day. I then read the book, and after that, other classics as well. A 'gateway' TV programme, if you will.
Now my eldest is 9, I suggested reading this with him. Following along with my copy, we listened to an audio version on schools runs and at bedtimes for a few weeks. I wasn't sure if he'd find the language and context too dull/complex to follow or enjoy, but that wasn't the case.
Though there are some obvious differences in the treatment of the genders, strange exclamations, phrases and nicknames, and society itself is poles apart from those my son would recognise (baker's boy! horse and cart! fairs with freaks!) - he listened along and seemed entertained by the stories.
The plot follows the day to day lives of four children (and their baby brother) when they spend their summer in a new house near a pit and discover a sand fairy living there - a psammead - who can grant them a wish every day. Now what would YOU wish for if you had this chance? Probably a few in common with Althea, Cyril, Jane and Robert: wishing for wings, money, for their baby brother to grow up a bit. But they find that their wishes often go a little bit awry, there are always consequences, usually unforeseen.
The Psammead is a fantastically grumpy creation, always moaning about his good old days among the cavemen and dinosaurs. The children are an interesting crew, siblings who argue but who mostly get on well, but who often look after a baby by themselves all day, and are totally obsessed with not missing their mealtimes.
It's a story I remembered fairly well, certainly all the things that went wrong with the wishes. The old-fashioned language wasn't as challenging as I had remembered, despite the differences any modern reader would notice. It made a fairly easy listen. I'm hoping to re-watch the TV series at some point soon as well. Nesbit wrote several other of my favourites as well, and I hope we can give those a try (Treasure Seekers, Little Lord Fauntleroy).
For ages 8-12.
One of my strongest memories of BBC programming in my childhood is the wonderful Five Children and It adaptation with the puppet psammead blowing wishing for the Victorian children every day. I then read the book, and after that, other classics as well. A 'gateway' TV programme, if you will.
Now my eldest is 9, I suggested reading this with him. Following along with my copy, we listened to an audio version on schools runs and at bedtimes for a few weeks. I wasn't sure if he'd find the language and context too dull/complex to follow or enjoy, but that wasn't the case.
Though there are some obvious differences in the treatment of the genders, strange exclamations, phrases and nicknames, and society itself is poles apart from those my son would recognise (baker's boy! horse and cart! fairs with freaks!) - he listened along and seemed entertained by the stories.
The plot follows the day to day lives of four children (and their baby brother) when they spend their summer in a new house near a pit and discover a sand fairy living there - a psammead - who can grant them a wish every day. Now what would YOU wish for if you had this chance? Probably a few in common with Althea, Cyril, Jane and Robert: wishing for wings, money, for their baby brother to grow up a bit. But they find that their wishes often go a little bit awry, there are always consequences, usually unforeseen.
The Psammead is a fantastically grumpy creation, always moaning about his good old days among the cavemen and dinosaurs. The children are an interesting crew, siblings who argue but who mostly get on well, but who often look after a baby by themselves all day, and are totally obsessed with not missing their mealtimes.
It's a story I remembered fairly well, certainly all the things that went wrong with the wishes. The old-fashioned language wasn't as challenging as I had remembered, despite the differences any modern reader would notice. It made a fairly easy listen. I'm hoping to re-watch the TV series at some point soon as well. Nesbit wrote several other of my favourites as well, and I hope we can give those a try (Treasure Seekers, Little Lord Fauntleroy).
For ages 8-12.
snowless's review against another edition
2.0
Very charming and sweet read aloud until the outdated and offensive representation of Native Americans near the end.
bookmadbarlow's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
4/5 spoilt kids find a sand fairy and proceed to make questionable choices when asking for wishes to be granted.
cwritesu's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
- Such an entertaining children's classic.
- The author created a "faux Greek myth" about a sand fairy. Priceless.
- Fun, leans into the trope of "wishes going horribly wrong and must be undone".
- Dated and problematic references true, but still a fun read.
- Edith Nesbit was a badass bohemian and I admire her spirit.
- Could use an update just to help it translate better for modern readers.
ashleyselland's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun book! We loved getting to know the five children and the sand fairy. Definitely reminded us to be careful what we wish for! Looking forward to the next Nesbit book.
craftylou's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
debra's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
eletricjb's review against another edition
3.0
A charming relic, but it can be left in the past, I think.
apochemu's review against another edition
5.0
We rather enjoyed this book. It was fun to see what the children would wish and how it would always turn to trouble. Be careful what you wish for! I liked the characters and the relationships they had seemed genuine and their actions authentic. It was well written and drew us in.