Helpful Score: 2
I purchased this audio book for my two sons (8 & 11) to listen to on our cross-country drive. It is a wonderful story that any age could appreciate. This story is full of adventure and fun and we didn't want it to end. We loved the twists the grumpy Sammyadd put on all the children's wishes and how they got out of the trouble he put them in. I can highly recommend it for ages 6-10.
Helpful Score: 1
Great writing style. The plot gets a little TV movie-like, and perhaps that is why this isn't a well known classic. In each chapter the children make a wish and end up having a big problem. This book will go over young children's heads because the author references so many different things that little children don't know of yet. I chose not to read this to my supersmarty 6 year old. I will wait a bit. A child of about 10-13 would enjoy this as a read aloud. Good book.
Helpful Score: 1
I saw the movie first and wasn't impressed. The book is nothing at all like it - unlike the movie, there is no war, no being sent away to an odd uncle's house, no demented cousin, and no traveling to another world to meet It. In fact, the only thing the book and movie have in common are five children and, well, It. It grants wishes, but the wish goes away at sundown. Of course nothing ever works the way it should and the children always seem to suffer the worst fate possible becuase of it - that is, they usually miss their dinner, and tea, too. For instance, the girls wish that they were all beautiful children, but when they get their wish nobody recognizes them, and they aren't let in the house at mealtime. They can't do anything with their beauty but sit under a bush waiting for sundown so they can be themselves again. I found myself giggling many times during the reading. Excellent for older people as well as kids.
There are two sequels to this book, The Phoenix and the Carpet, and The Story of the Amulet.
There are two sequels to this book, The Phoenix and the Carpet, and The Story of the Amulet.
Helpful Score: 1
I saw the movie first and wasn't impressed. The book is nothing at all like it - unlike the movie, there is no war, no being sent away to an odd uncle's house, no demented cousin, and no traveling to another world to meet It. In fact, the only thing the book and movie have in common are five children and, well, It. It grants wishes, but the wish goes away at sundown. Of course nothing ever works the way it should and the children always seem to suffer the worst fate possible becuase of it - that is, they usually miss their dinner, and tea, too. For instance, the girls wish that they were all beautiful children, but when they get their wish nobody recognizes them, and they aren't let in the house at mealtime. They can't do anything with their beauty but sit under a bush waiting for sundown so they can be themselves again. I found myself giggling many times during the reading. Excellent for older people as well as kids.
I saw the movie first and wasn't impressed. The book is nothing at all like it - unlike the movie, there is no war, no being sent away to an odd uncle's house, no demented cousin, and no traveling to another world to meet It. In fact, the only thing the book and movie have in common are five children and, well, It. It grants wishes, but the wish goes away at sundown. Of course nothing ever works the way it should and the children always seem to suffer the worst fate possible becuase of it - that is, they usually miss their dinner, and tea, too. For instance, the girls wish that they were all beautiful children, but when they get their wish nobody recognizes them, and they aren't let in the house at mealtime. They can't do anything with their beauty but sit under a bush waiting for sundown so they can be themselves again. I found myself giggling many times during the reading. Excellent for older people as well as kids.
There are two sequels to this book, The Phoenix and the Carpet, and The Story of the Amulet.
There are two sequels to this book, The Phoenix and the Carpet, and The Story of the Amulet.
Very good family entertainment for road trips!
This was a favorite in our house. My children wanted to write the review:
From my 9yo daughter: This book was funny and cool! One chapter scared me ("Scalps") but it was OK in the end :-) I really liked this book!
From my 6yo daughter: This was my favorite book of all time!
From my 9yo daughter: This book was funny and cool! One chapter scared me ("Scalps") but it was OK in the end :-) I really liked this book!
From my 6yo daughter: This was my favorite book of all time!
My children and I loved this book!
Classic British Children's fantasy, not to be missed! Enjoyable for adults, too, and an especially good choice for reading a chapter a night for family reading or bedtime stories.
Four children find a creature called a Psammead and it give them one wish a day for a period of time. Of course, they get into all kinds of scrapes as a result. It is really adorable.
Four children find a creature called a Psammead and it give them one wish a day for a period of time. Of course, they get into all kinds of scrapes as a result. It is really adorable.
A great children's classic, the wonderfully imaginative fantasy delights imaginations young and old. The It of the title is a cranky, quirky sand fairy which is woken from his long sleep by four carefree, naughty children who proceed to ask for all sorts of wild and wonderful wishes. Life gets pretty hard when they get exactly what they ask for.
One of the best children's fantasy stories ever. Never gets old!
