This classic fantasy is written by E. Nesbit. We meet Cyril, Anthea, Jane, Robert and their baby brother. This family is on vacation, but it is only the children who are having a proper holiday because their parents are away. When they find the mystical Psammead, they start wishing daily and getting into trouble daily. They make some of the wishes accidentally and get into bother, but the planned ones aren’t trouble-free either. Sunset may end the wishes and get the children out of trouble, but it also gets them into bother with Martha, the nursemaid. They may gain trouble from the wishes, but the wishes also give the children knowledge about being good big brothers and sisters.
My favourite character is the Psammead because he puts up with giving the children their desires, even though it makes him grumpy and he doesn’t like giving wishes. My favourite part is when the Psammead is asked if he likes giving wishes and he asks for the children to make a wish for him because the Psammead is thinking about what he wants and is shown kindness.
I really liked the book, but I would have liked it if the children had tried to become friends with the Psammead and made wishes for him, without the magical creature asking.
I would recommend this book to 8-year-olds and older because there are many old-fashioned words in this book. If you believe in magic, then you may be interested in this short, but action-packed book.
