About This Book
In this classic fantasy adventure, the third book in E. Nesbit's Psammead trilogy, four siblings, Robert, Anthea, Cyril, and Jane, are living in London while their father covers a war and their mother recuperates from illness. They re-encounter the magical sand-fairy, the Psammead, and discover an ancient Egyptian amulet that can transport them through time. Their quest is to find the amulet's missing half, believing it will grant their deepest wish: the safe return of their parents and baby brother. The children visit historical periods like Babylon, ancient Egypt, and even a utopian future, learning about different civilizations. Parents should be aware that the book contains outdated and offensive antisemitic stereotypes in its depiction of certain characters.
Concepts
Curiosity & WonderFriendship & LoyaltyLove & FamilyResilience & PerseveranceTeamwork & CollaborationSelf-Confidence & IdentityEmpathy & KindnessJustice & FairnessFreedom & IndependenceCreativity & ImaginationParent DeploymentGrowing UpSibling RivalryFantasy & MagicFamily & SiblingsFairy Tales & MythologyAdventureAnimals
peril_danger
discrimination
separation_from_parent
war_themes
Discussion Prompts
1
If you had an amulet that could take you anywhere in time, where would you go and why?
2
The children's parents are away for a long time. How do you think they feel about that, and how do they cope?
3
The book explores different ancient civilizations. Which one did you find most interesting and why?
4
E. Nesbit imagined a utopian future. What aspects of that future did you like, and what would you change if you could design your own perfect future?
5
The Psammead can grant wishes, but the amulet is different. What are the pros and cons of each type of magic?
6
The children learn a lot on their journeys. What's the most important lesson you think they learned?
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