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59th out of 412 books
—
530 voters
The Phoenix and the Carpet (Five Children #2)
by
E. Nesbit,
H.R. Millar
It's startling enough to have a Phoenix hatch in your house, but even more startling when it reveals you have a magic carpet on the floor. Conceited it may be, but the Phoenix is also good-hearted, and obligingly accompanies the children on their adventures through time and space -- which, magic being what it is, rarely turn out as they were meant.
Paperback, 289 pages
Published
August 1st 1994
by Puffin
(first published 1904)
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That evening, Mother read to them from a book called The Phoenix and the Carpet, which she had had since she was a little girl. Like all the best children's books, it was written to be read aloud; you immediately knew that Mrs. Nesbit had read it aloud to her own children, and every now and then she had put in a little joke for her husband, who was pretending to do something important but was really listening too.
Mrs. Nesbit had a wonderful imagination, and she also had a strong moral sense; so...more
Mrs. Nesbit had a wonderful imagination, and she also had a strong moral sense; so...more
Oh my! What's going on? It was one of my childhood favorites! OMG. These children are just beyond obnoxious. Their family is described as of moderate means, but they act like completely spoiled brats.
"'Is that being kind to servants and animals, like the clergyman said?' asked Jane."
They don't care for anyone else except themselves and their family. All the others are tools, or plainly invisible to them anyway. There is one nasty scene when they get home by mistake, when only the servants are su...more
"'Is that being kind to servants and animals, like the clergyman said?' asked Jane."
They don't care for anyone else except themselves and their family. All the others are tools, or plainly invisible to them anyway. There is one nasty scene when they get home by mistake, when only the servants are su...more
What a delightful surprise. I picked this up on a whim and it turned out to be a well written and endearing children's story about four siblings who discover a phoenix and a magic carpet, sending them off on the most extraordinary adventures.
However, I must point out a few things that you may wish to consider before reading this to your little ones. First off, Edith Nesbit was a bigot. It's nothing too blatant but it's there, whether she's referring to Africans as "savages" or having the phoenix...more
However, I must point out a few things that you may wish to consider before reading this to your little ones. First off, Edith Nesbit was a bigot. It's nothing too blatant but it's there, whether she's referring to Africans as "savages" or having the phoenix...more
The Phoenix was more likeable than the Psammead, but he was still too mythical for my liking. Also, this beginning interchange worries me.....
"'I wish they taught magic at school,' Jane sighed. 'I believe if we could do a little magic it might make something happen.'
'I wonder how you begin?' Robert looked round the room, but he got no ideas from the faded green curtains, or the drab Venetian blinds, or the worn brown oil-cloth on the floor. Even the new carpet suggested nothing, though its patte...more
"'I wish they taught magic at school,' Jane sighed. 'I believe if we could do a little magic it might make something happen.'
'I wonder how you begin?' Robert looked round the room, but he got no ideas from the faded green curtains, or the drab Venetian blinds, or the worn brown oil-cloth on the floor. Even the new carpet suggested nothing, though its patte...more
The phoenix, in its modesty, insists on being listed first, but its practical role is more of a translator. The phoenix does have magical powers, but they're more along the line of linguistic skill.
Frankly, the phoenix could have given better advice without much effort. It's too inclined to resort to tactics like blackmail.
This book is (not unexpectedly for its time) racist, classist, and even somewhat misogynistic (though the latter is more in the attitudes of the children themselves than elsew...more
Frankly, the phoenix could have given better advice without much effort. It's too inclined to resort to tactics like blackmail.
This book is (not unexpectedly for its time) racist, classist, and even somewhat misogynistic (though the latter is more in the attitudes of the children themselves than elsew...more
I don't like this one as much as Five Children and It, probably because where the Psammead is only grouchy and annoying, the Phoenix is self-centered to the point of getting the kids into trouble. The theme is the same as the first book: the children get three wishes a day from the magic carpet, and as usual their wishes go awry. My favorite of their adventures is where they're flying along, see a tower whose top is the same size as the carpet, and set down only to find that there's no actual ro...more
Delightful Edwardian flying carpet larks. Second book in the 'Five Children and It' trilogy. The endearing 'n' pompous Phoenix is one of my favourite characters in literature.
*wipes tear*
*wipes tear*
3 likes · like · see review
I heard (in a book about little-known classics) that this was a great Christmastime read-aloud. It did take place around Christmastime, but it's not about Christmas at all. Our family loved the first book of this trilogy (Five Children and It), and the Phoenix and the Carpet was almost as good. Nine-year-old Josh loved this book and can't wait to read the third book together. I enjoy E. Nesbit's writing; she is so clever and entertaining and we laughed through this book. Here's a part we enjoyed...more
Lovely magical adventure that has Edwardian London as its base of operations. It helps, it really helps!
What wouldn't I give to buy a carpet and discover that it contains a Phoenix egg! To then have the Phoenix reveal that the carpet itself is Magic!
Sometimes the set-up scenes to something that needs to happen or be said next is a little bit contrived, but hey, it's a children's book, written in the cultural confines of 1904 so I'm willing to forgive much.
I was a bit miffed to find out this bo...more
What wouldn't I give to buy a carpet and discover that it contains a Phoenix egg! To then have the Phoenix reveal that the carpet itself is Magic!
Sometimes the set-up scenes to something that needs to happen or be said next is a little bit contrived, but hey, it's a children's book, written in the cultural confines of 1904 so I'm willing to forgive much.
I was a bit miffed to find out this bo...more
I decided to continued reading this trilogy of books. I do have to admit I place this second book higher than the first, but it was too much of the same for me. The kids once again have this incredible opportunity to have a magic carpet take them wherever they want, but they bicker so much they never get to go anywhere interesting. Any children like that would've taken advantage of the opportunity, even if they had to say each of them got to decide where to go on a certain day. Again, such great...more
"I daresay they're not real cats," said Jane madly, "Perhaps they're only dream-cats."
"I'll dream-cat you, my lady," was the brief response of the force."
In regards to this book, I'm going to write something so groundbreaking that I would be willing to bet lots and lots of metaphorical pounds on the fact that no one has ever said, written or even thought about this idea when they closed the pages of Ms Nesbit's wonderful book.
(view spoiler)...more
"I'll dream-cat you, my lady," was the brief response of the force."
In regards to this book, I'm going to write something so groundbreaking that I would be willing to bet lots and lots of metaphorical pounds on the fact that no one has ever said, written or even thought about this idea when they closed the pages of Ms Nesbit's wonderful book.
(view spoiler)...more
6 likes · like · see review
The Phoenix and the Carpet is the imaginative (and witty) second book of the Psammead series. Like Five Children and It, it tells the adventures of four children (sometimes five) who face the consequences of the many choices they make.
For those of you who've read Harry Potter, the phoenix in this book is very different than Fawkes. It doesn't have healing powers, and indeed, I think it'd be utterly revolted if it were made into a pet. But don't worry - it's a very unique bird; in fact, it would...more
For those of you who've read Harry Potter, the phoenix in this book is very different than Fawkes. It doesn't have healing powers, and indeed, I think it'd be utterly revolted if it were made into a pet. But don't worry - it's a very unique bird; in fact, it would...more
This was one of my favourite books as a child. I read this book many, many times.
I loved the image of the phoenix rising from the ashes - and have used that image many times in my journey as I rose from the ashes - not dead - just new again.
I loved the fact that there were four children in the family and they were all in on the secret of the Phoenix. And I loved the freedom the children had in making wishes and being transported on a magic carpet.
I loved the image of the phoenix rising from the ashes - and have used that image many times in my journey as I rose from the ashes - not dead - just new again.
I loved the fact that there were four children in the family and they were all in on the secret of the Phoenix. And I loved the freedom the children had in making wishes and being transported on a magic carpet.
While I really enjoyed the writing style of the book, especially the arch little comments on human behaviour, it was hard for me to get past the casual "oh those poor childish savages" racism inherent in books from this era.
I think when the Spawn read this, we'll have a little talk about the racism in books by writers like Nesbit, Blyton and Kipling, and what it says about humanity (and hopefully how we've moved on, at least a little.)
I think when the Spawn read this, we'll have a little talk about the racism in books by writers like Nesbit, Blyton and Kipling, and what it says about humanity (and hopefully how we've moved on, at least a little.)
I read this from the Gutenberg edition ebook, and we read it aloud by chapters for bedtime stories. Nesbit is a very talented writer and this book is no exception to her high standards. The best kids' book themes are there, with kids, something magic, oblivious adults, and a high dose of adventure. The Phoenix is a really well-done character and you feel a lot with him reading this book.
Sequel to and maybe even better than Five Children and It. The Psammead makes an appearance here, but the main purveyors of magic are a golden Phoenix and a magic carpet that takes you wherever you wish to go. Naturally the children go to the wrong places and get in trouble, but the most wonderful thing is the character of the Phoenix, conceited and touching in equal measure.
This book is pretty good. ☺ I think that this book is best for read-alouds, and maybe for private reading. I mean, some books are hard to understand, and the first time I read this, I was a little baffled by what Edith Nesbit was saying (writing). So, it's not relly for someone who con't understand anything. ☺ Still, it's really good. READ IT! ☺☺
This was one of my favorite books as a kid. I would read it again in heartbeat. Recommended for any kids you know who love fantasy books.
You can even read it on line at - http://www.classicreader.com/book/422/
More info at - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phoe...
You can even read it on line at - http://www.classicreader.com/book/422/
More info at - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phoe...
BBC7 Big Toe Books - read by Patricia Hodge. This sequel to Five Children and It sees the four children finding a carpet and then being told by a phoenix that it is a magic carpet. This means a series of adventures. With delightful music of the period.
I haven't read this one, but I'm a big E Nesbitt. The Railway Children is maybe her most well known. Another take on the independent children theme. Have you read the "Swallows and Amazons" series by Arthur Ransome (sp?)You could put Ben on the job.
When I was probably 10 or 11. Wonderful old-fashioned story, along the Lion, Witch, Wardrobe lines. Roaring fire, cup of tea, Sunday afternoon, etc.
Probably my favourite author from my childhood, perhaps tying with Enid Blyton. The difference is I can still read Nesbit and love her.
The same five children who discovered the sand fairy and the amulet find a talking bird and a flying carpet.
Such a fav. of mine growing up, that every time I look into a roaring fire I think of the Phoenix.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Watched the t.v. show as a child and thus, was delighted to see it was a book first. Utterly charming.
Jan 29, 2010
Tiffany who finally decided to change her name
marked it as to-read
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This book was mentioned in the book "Dragonwings." It seems like a good book...
This is the second in a trilogy. The first, The Five Children and It, was a lot more capturing. These books were written in England in 1904 so some of the language is different than we are used to. This book had some funny parts, but some parts were kind of odd and it dragged a little between adventures. In this book they find a magic phoenix and a carpet that take them on adventures when they make a wish. We (my boys and I) started the last book and are enjoying it. In the third book the kids f...more
The Phoenix and the Carpet (Puffin Books) by E. Nesbit (1959)
Her dry wit and observational humour makes these books very readable as an adult - much more like Richmal Crompton than Enid Blyton. Despite being written over a century ago this series is still so fresh and funny. Her warts-and-all portrayal of children is a lot more genuine than some other classics of the era.
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Edith Nesbit (married name Edith Bland; 15 August 1858 – 4 May 1924) was an English author and poet whose children's works were published under the name of E. Nesbit. She wrote or collaborated on over 60 books of fiction for children, several of which have been adapted for film and television. She was also a political activist and co-founded the Fabian Society, a precursor to the modern Labour Par...more
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updated Apr 29, 2010 07:37pm
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