Many of us will remember reading E. Nesbit’s ‘Five Children and It’ which tells the tale of a group of children who discover a sand fairy who can grant wishes to disastrous effects. Now, this delightful tale is being re-imagined for a modern audience by ever favourite children’s author Jacqueline Wilson. ‘Four children and It’ is a magical, heart-warming, funny and moving novel about four children who discover a way to make wishes come true.
Rosalind and Robbie don’t want to spend their summer stuck in their dad’s new house with irritating Smash and her glamorous mum. Dad’s biggest wish is for everyone to get along so when he suggests a picnic in nearby Oxshott woods the children grudgingly agree.
That afternoon, in a golden sandpit, Rosalind makes a wish of her own and something extraordinary happens. It might just change their summer from weeks of rows and bickering into the best holiday the four children ever had.
This is Jacqueline Wilson at her very best and I can’t imagine a child who won’t fall instantly in love with this magical tale. ‘Four children and It’ is the perfect read for children aged 9 +.
‘Four Children and It’ is published by Penguin, RRP €16.99/£12.00
