Book description
It's startling enough to have a phoenix hatch in your house, but even
more startling when it talks and reveals that you have a magic carpet
on the floor. The vain and ancient bird accompanies the children on a
series of adventures through time and space which, magic being what it
is, rarely turn out as they were meant...
This sequel to Five Children and It continues the magical
adventures of siblings Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane and their baby brother.
Contains a lovely new introduction by Robin McKinley, bestselling US
author of Pegasus.
EDITH NESBIT was a mischievous child who grew up into an
unconventional adult. With her husband, Hubert Bland, she was one of the
founder members of the socialist Fabian Society; their household became
a centre of the socialist and literary circles of the times. E. Nesbit
turned late to children's writing. Her first children's book, THE
TREASURE SEEKERS, was published in 1899 to great acclaim. Other books
featuring the Bastable children followed, and a series of magical
fantasy books, including FIVE CHILDREN AND IT also became very popular.
THE RAILWAY CHILDREN was first published monthly in the LONDON MAGAZINE
in 1905, and published as a book in 1906 and has been in print ever
since.
