ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WRITERS TO HAVE EVER LIVED

NOW A FILM STARRING FREDDIE HIGHMORE, TARA FITZGERALD, JONATHAN BAILEY AND KENNETH BRANAGH

Five Children and It is the first book in the Psammead trilogy: next, discover The Phoenix and the Carpet and The Story of the Amulet.

'I love her books - particularly the Five Children and It sequence' NEIL GAIMAN

'My all-time favourite classic children's author' JACQUELINE WILSON

'The cheerful, child-centred anarchy of Five Children and It is still my inspiration and delight' KATE SAUNDERS, GUARDIAN

Digging 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.

That, 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.

With all the illustrations by H. R. Millar, newly scanned from the original edition.

This 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 (Carrie's War, The Peppermint Pig), Rumer Godden (The Dark Horse, An Episode of Sparrows), Joan Aiken (The Serial Garden, The Gift Giving), E. Nesbit (The Psammead Trilogy, The Bastable Trilogy, The Railway Children), Frances Hodgson Burnett (The Little Princess,The Secret Garden) and Susan Coolidge (The What Katy Did Trilogy). Discover Virago Children's Classics.