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![Five Children and It: E. Nesbit (Classics, Literature) [Annotated] by E. Nesbit](https://cdn.thestorygraph.com/97aam85yqpbfmzo3v04k0l2nim55)
3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
This is one of those books I had heard about, but never seen, until my eye lit on it in the library this week. It's good bed-time reading, because each chapter is almost a self-contained story.
I suppose coming so late to it, probably many people have had an opportunity to read it before me, and it is too well-known to need much children -- four children and their baby brother discover a Psammead, a very ancient sand fairy who grants wishes. And, as I'm sure many others have said, the theme "be careful what you wish for" runs right through the book. In each chapter the children spent most of their time, energy, and, sometimes, money, trying to undo the damage that their wishes have caused.
It is interesting that most of the best books for children that have lasted have been fantasy books. Most of the children's books from before the First World War have probably been all but forgotten, but many of those that have lasted and been reprinted have been fantasy books.
Another thought is that the children in the story, and therefore many of the first readers of the book, would have been of the generation that fought in the First World War. They grew up in a kind of idyllic world that was to vanish in their generation.
I suppose coming so late to it, probably many people have had an opportunity to read it before me, and it is too well-known to need much children -- four children and their baby brother discover a Psammead, a very ancient sand fairy who grants wishes. And, as I'm sure many others have said, the theme "be careful what you wish for" runs right through the book. In each chapter the children spent most of their time, energy, and, sometimes, money, trying to undo the damage that their wishes have caused.
It is interesting that most of the best books for children that have lasted have been fantasy books. Most of the children's books from before the First World War have probably been all but forgotten, but many of those that have lasted and been reprinted have been fantasy books.
Another thought is that the children in the story, and therefore many of the first readers of the book, would have been of the generation that fought in the First World War. They grew up in a kind of idyllic world that was to vanish in their generation.
This was a cute little book, very innocent and quaint. The moralizing was a bit heavy-handed maybe, but not really bothersome.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I skimmed the chapter with the "Red Indians", but I really loved the other chapters. I liked how the children interacted. They are good children, but they still behave like children.
One of my childhood favourites! Always loved this book. Definitely a tale if he careful what you wish for!
So far, I'm not blown away by this one. The four English children (plus Baby) living in the country after leaving London are a far cry from the Pevinses of Narnia. It's hard for me to distinguish between one child and another.
The conspiring tone of the narrator, who understands children as well as children do, is a little annoying. The rhythm of the writing doesn't lend itself to reading aloud, but maybe that's because I don't have an English accent (?). Anyway, I'm a bit disappointed so far. In some ways, even the Spiderwick Tales were more interesting than this. At least the children had some chemistry.
I'm hoping the book will pick up. Meanwhile, my daughter is enjoying it, so maybe I'm just too old for this one.
* * *
It didn't pick up that much, but she enjoyed it to the end. The kids did start to differentiate by the end, though. Maybe after a second read, now knowing which kid is which, I might enjoy it more. But I don't see myself reading this one again.
The conspiring tone of the narrator, who understands children as well as children do, is a little annoying. The rhythm of the writing doesn't lend itself to reading aloud, but maybe that's because I don't have an English accent (?). Anyway, I'm a bit disappointed so far. In some ways, even the Spiderwick Tales were more interesting than this. At least the children had some chemistry.
I'm hoping the book will pick up. Meanwhile, my daughter is enjoying it, so maybe I'm just too old for this one.
* * *
It didn't pick up that much, but she enjoyed it to the end. The kids did start to differentiate by the end, though. Maybe after a second read, now knowing which kid is which, I might enjoy it more. But I don't see myself reading this one again.
This book was a blast! It was such a fun story. I loved the narrator's personality. I loved the very British sense of humor. I loved how the morals to the story weren't shoved down our throats like some children's stories. I wish that I would have been forced to read this in school at some point, instead of some of the other crappier ones they make you read. I would have loved it so much as a kid. This was great!
This book is more amazing when you take the historical context into account, and realise that Nesbit was ahead of her time and supremely influential when it comes to narrative voice especially. If someone had told me it was published in 1940 I would've believed them.
It's kind of snarky, almost. In a good way. There's all of that old fashioned gendering of course, in which girls have to be protected by boys, but it's done by a knowing author. Things get even more snarky when you look Nesbit up on wikipedia and find that she was a leftie, who wanted a graduated tax system and free education and all.
Nesbit had an excellent handle on the various types of wish fulfilment explored in children's stories until this point; chapter by chapter she explores them, then takes them down. The young reader is left with the attitude that it's no use being rich or pretty or having wings -- you're better off muddling along as you are, making the best of things.
It's kind of snarky, almost. In a good way. There's all of that old fashioned gendering of course, in which girls have to be protected by boys, but it's done by a knowing author. Things get even more snarky when you look Nesbit up on wikipedia and find that she was a leftie, who wanted a graduated tax system and free education and all.
Nesbit had an excellent handle on the various types of wish fulfilment explored in children's stories until this point; chapter by chapter she explores them, then takes them down. The young reader is left with the attitude that it's no use being rich or pretty or having wings -- you're better off muddling along as you are, making the best of things.
Old-fashioned and some British words to trip us up, but fun and funny, great literature for children. It was amazing how badly all their wishes went. And so clever the way everything could get turned upside down. Loved the way the sand fairy’s wit made us laugh and the wishes left us thinking of the things we might wish for. Darling. Certainly should read more by E. Nesbit!