"It" here refers to a sand fairy, or Psammead that the five children discover while in the country. The Psammead is an irritable character but has the ability to grant wishes. How the children interact with it and take daily wishes from it which never really turn out as planned forms the crux of the story.

Though the writing is obviously dated, this is still an enjoyable book. It teaches kids how wishes aren't always what they seem like. A very nice book, and easily the best in the series. This is one book that children even today will enjoy. Rating: 3.75/5

PS: There's a movie by the same name. Don't go for it. It has just the bare facts in common with the book. The story is quite different and is pretty average. The book is way better.



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This book was published in 1902, as a serial in "The Strand" Magazine, but has seldom, if ever, out of print. It is a cautionary tale, but is well written with firm and believable characters. If you have not read it, I'm sorry. Sadly this edition has only a cover illustration. Oh, be careful what you wish for, sometimes it comes true.... ( )

I listened to this on audio, my first E. Nesbit book, and I was pleasantly surprised. Let's face it, children's fiction from more than a century ago often has aged badly, but this was not the case here at all! Nesbit writes in a timeless manner, full of wit and understanding of children's nature. His children are not too prim and proper. She captures their good heart, their childish way of reasoning and enjoying the world, their innocence and their mischievousness, making them very likable.

The story is episodic, with each chapter being about one of the wishes granted by the creature they find, and the plots are clever and amusing. Just an excellent children's book, perfectly readable today. ( )

I do enjoy almost anything written by E. Nesbit, and 90% of this book is amusing and interesting. Except for the racist chapter that is all bout the same kind of stereotypical racism that Peter Pan has. Plenty of funny moments and clever turns of phrase. ( )

Escritora predileta da criadora de Harry Potter J. K. Rowling, Edith Nesbith narra aqui as aventuras de cinco irmãos que, durante as férias, encontram um duende da areia. Essa criatura estranha e peluda passa a realizar um desejo das crianças a cada dia. Mas, uma vez realizados, os desejos colocam os meninos em grandes e divertidos apuros.