u003cpu003eu003cbu003e'I love her books - particularly the u003ciu003eFive Children and Itu003c/iu003e sequence' - u003ciu003eNeil Gaimanu003c/iu003eu003c/bu003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eDigging in the gravel pit on a hot summer's day, five children discover 'it': a grumpy creature with eyes like a snail's, ears like a bat's, and a tubby body all covered in fur. 'It' is a Psammead, an ancient sand-fairy who has the power to grant the children one wish a day.u003cbru003eThat, you might think, would be a dream come true! But you need to be very careful what you wish for: whether it's for wings, treasure or beauty, things can - and often will - go wrong.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eWith all the illustrations by H. R. Millar, newly scanned from the original edition.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003ciu003eFive Children and Itu003c/iu003e is the first book in the Psammead trilogy: next, discover u003ciu003eThe Phoenix and the Carpetu003c/iu003e and u003ciu003eThe Story of the Amulet.u003c/iu003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cbu003e'The cheerful, child-centred anarchy of u003ciu003eFive Children and Itu003c/iu003e is still my inspiration and delight' Kate Saunders, u003ciu003eGuardianu003c/iu003eu003c/bu003eu003cbru003eu003cbu003eu003c/bu003eu003cbru003eu003cbu003e'My all-time favourite classic children's author' Jacqueline Wilsonu003c/bu003eu003cbru003eu003cbu003eu003c/bu003eu003cbru003eu003cbu003e'If Britain is to children's fantasy as Brazil is to football, then Edith Nesbit is our Pele - endlessly surprising and inventive. But she is more than that. There were fantasy writers before Edith Nesbit but she is the one that brought the magical and the mundane together in a moment of nuclear fusion. She opened the door in the magic wardrobe, pointed the way to platform nine and three quarters. She even had a hand in building the Tardis. And these are among her minor achievements. She is also simply the funniest writer we have ever had, while being the one who could most easily and sweetly break your heart with a phrase. Just try saying "Daddy oh my Daddy" without catching your breath. She made the magic worlds feel as near as the Lewisham Road and she bathed the Lewisham Road in magic' Frank Cottrell-Boyce u003c/bu003eu003cbru003eu003cbu003eu003c/bu003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cbu003eThis collection of the best in children's literature, curated by Virago, will be coveted by children and adults alike. These are timeless tales with beautiful covers, that will be treasured and shared across the generations. Some titles you will already know; some will be new to you, but there are stories for everyone to love, whatever your age. Our list includes Nina Bawden (u003ciu003eCarrie's Waru003c/iu003e, u003ciu003eThe Peppermint Pigu003c/iu003e), Rumer Godden (u003ciu003eThe Dark Horseu003c/iu003e, u003ciu003eAn Episode of Sparrowu003c/iu003es), Joan Aiken (u003ciu003eThe Serial Gardenu003c/iu003e, u003ciu003eThe Gift Givingu003c/iu003e) E. Nesbit (The Psammead Trilogy, The Bastable Trilogy, u003ciu003eThe Railway Childrenu003c/iu003e), Frances Hodgson Burnett (u003ciu003eThe Little Princessu003c/iu003e,u003ciu003eThe Secret Gardenu003c/iu003e) and Susan Coolidge (Theu003ciu003e What Katy Did u003c/iu003eTrilogy). Discover Virago Children's Classics.u003c/bu003eu003c/pu003e
