The Phoenix and the Carpet

"The Phoenix and the Carpet" by E. Nesbit is a children's fantasy novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers on the adventures of four siblings—Cyril, Anthea, Robert, and Jane—as they encounter magical elements in their lives, such as a mysterious egg and a magical carpet that grants them wishes. As the children explore their new abilities, they navigate mishaps and marvels that spark their imaginations while dealing with the whimsical challenges of childhood. The opening of the book introduces the children as they prepare for the Guy Fawkes celebrations and contemplate their recent acquisition of a new carpet. During their attempts to test fireworks inside the house, a series of misadventures leads to the discovery of a shiny egg within the freshly acquired carpet. When the egg hatches into a beautiful Phoenix, it reveals that their carpet is magical and offers to take them anywhere they wish. The children quickly realize that their dull, everyday life can be transformed into an extraordinary adventure filled with excitement, exploration, and whimsical possibilities, setting the stage for the magical journeys to come. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edith Nesbit was an English writer and poet, who published her books for children as E. Nesbit. She wrote or collaborated on more than 60 such books. She was also a political activist and co-founder of the Fabian Society, a socialist organisation later affiliated to the Labour Party.