The reason I love the books E. Nesbit writes, is not only because of the adventure and magic but also because of the description and the use of old vocabulary (I love history and the olden days) ...
for example: she wore her petticoat
that is a very old piece of clothing that people barely use anymore
and that is what makes the book so magical and interesting...it's like being in the olden days, where dinner was called tea, where to say "yes" kids would say "do lets" and more!
E. Nesbit is an amazing author, she knows how to make stories fun and interesting even if the plot is easy. :)