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E. Nesbit
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The Phoenix and the Carpet (Puffin Classics) Paperback – August 1, 1996

by E. Nesbit (Author), H. R. Millar (Illustrator)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 74 ratings
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After they discover a mysterious phoenix egg wrapped in a magic wish carpet, Robert, Anthea, Cyril, and Jane embark on a series of adventures in which anything is possible
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    10 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    304 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    5 - 6
  5. Lexile measure
    1000L
  6. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.75 x 8 inches
  7. Publisher
    Puffin
  8. Publication date
    August 1, 1996
  9. ISBN-10
    014036739X
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0140367393
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Edith Nesbit (1858 – 1924), was a mischievous, tomboyish child who grew up to be an unconventional adult. She and her husband were founder members of the socialist Fabian Society and their home became a centre for socialist and literary discussion. Their friends included some of the time’s greatest writers and thinkers, including George Bernard Shaw and H. G. Wells.

Everything about Edith showed her as a woman trying to break out of the mould demanded by English society at the time – she expressed her individuality through her clothes, hairstyle, lifestyle and her habit of speaking forcefully on almost any subject. She lived her socialism and late in life her charitable deeds brought her close to bankrupcy.

E. Nesbit – she always used the plain initial for her writing and was sometimes thought to be a man – started to write for children after years of successful writing for adult magazines. She was asked to write about her childhood but instead of facts chose to describe her happy girlhood in fiction. The result was books still read today, firm bestsellers for decades. She was brilliant at combining real-life situations with elements of fantasy and humour. Films –such as The Railway Children - have kept her stories in the public eye and her magical fantasies, including Five Children and It, continue to delight each new generation of children.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Puffin; Reissue edition (August 1, 1996)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 014036739X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140367393
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 12 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1000L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 5 - 6
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.75 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 74 ratings

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  1. E. Nesbit

    E. Nesbit

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
74 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

E. Maley
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for family read-aloud
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2024
Verified Purchase
I read this to my older children some years ago but I’ve recently been listening to my husband read it aloud to our two youngest. Hearing a story read aloud really makes it come alive, and I’ve been enjoying the book’s clever plot and excellent characterisations. Definitely for all ages!
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Richard and Liz
4.0 out of 5 stars ~~ A Phoenix, a Flying Carpet and plenty of adventures! ~~
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2016
Verified Purchase
November 5th is coming and if you are from England you will know that that is Guy Fawkes Night, the night where we let off fireworks and have a BIG bonfire. One of the children (there are five: Anthea, Robert, Cyril, Jane and Lamb) is concerned that the fireworks will not be up to par. What should they do? Each pick one and try them out in the nursery of course! Three go off with no event but the fourth, a Jack-in-the-Box, is stubborn. No amount of coaxing will get it going. Anthea gets paraffin! Whoosh! Up goes the carpet, Cyril loses his eyebrows and all four faces are black! (Lamb is only a baby so not involved in this adventure.) The consequence? BED!

When a new carpet is purchased and brought back to the nursery, the children find an egg rolled up inside. Now with no November 5th celebration (more consequences for the children's mischief), their parents at the theatre, the kids are bored. Time to try some magic. Nothing happens until Robert accidentally knocks the egg into the fire and what emerges is the Phoenix, a mythical bird. This is the start of some amazing journeys/adventures.

How does Cook disappear? Becomes a queen? What happens when the carpet is accidentally sold? How about 199 Persian cats, 398 musk-rats and a Jersey milk cow which a burglar just happens to know how to milk?!

I will say that these children are not always the politest to elders but this is a good talking point with your children. However, in their defense, they are left to their own devices a LOT! Originally written in 1904 this is the second in a trilogy by this author. (Five Children and It, The Phoenix and the Carpet, The Amulet) We have read them all and highly recommend. The chapters are long but our kids sit enthralled. Important to note that there are NO illustrations in this Kindle version. I purchased this book for my Kindle. I was not required to write a review but chose to do so. Thanks, Liz
3 people found this helpful
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Sally Forth
5.0 out of 5 stars Book that stands the test of time
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2010
Verified Purchase
I read "The Phoenix and the Carpet" when I was a child and I loved it.
I was not surprised that it is now regarded as a classic. I have not reread it but I know that some of my grandchildren will greatly enjoy it as some have been completely captivated by "The Enchanted Wood" by Enid Blyton and this one is even more entertaining. Most children love fantasy and these old books depict ordinary children in situations that could not possibly occur in real life. Yet how wonderful it would be to see an egg fall in the fire and a talking phoenix burst from the egg and to have a magic carpet to fly on to exotic places. There are no scenes of violence and nothing dark to give them nightmares. Also, the characters have their adventures with no adults present and they sort out the difficulties by themselves.
2 people found this helpful
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estarriel
5.0 out of 5 stars Puffin classics are LOVE
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2008
Verified Purchase
I love Puffin classics! Complete and unabridged, they bring stories to life for children with lovely covers and readable text, and at $3.99-$5.99 are a great deal! I'm collecting all of them. :-)
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Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Free SF Reader
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2007
The same kids from Five Children and It are now back at their house in London. One Guy Fawkes night they get a bit too keen with the fire workings, doing some damage to the floor coverings.

The replacement has an odd egg in it. Out of this, they get a Phoenix, a magic carpet, and yet more wish stuff.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Good conversion of a good read.
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2009
Verified Purchase
I ended up buying this series of books for my K2 after we watched the film "Five Children & IT" recently. I have really enjoyed reading all three of these books. The conversion is pretty good. No missing words or strange characters to speak of. Underscores are used before and after words that were probably italicized in the DTB versions.

Although they are "children's literature" the language and the time period make them interesting for any adult who enjoys fantasy or time-period stories.
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apples
5.0 out of 5 stars She was a great writer!
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2015
Verified Purchase
Edith Nesbit-what else can you say? She was a great writer!
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carol shelby lane
5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful book
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2005
I'm surprised there are only four reviews listed.. E. Nesbit's books are wonderfully intriguing. The sentence structure is complex, making for more interesting reading. The moral lessons are there, but subtle, not blatant like current popular children's liturature.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Josevi Moreno
3.0 out of 5 stars Obligada a leerlo
Reviewed in Spain on May 16, 2021
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Es muy corto y la historia es pasable
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Michelle b
5.0 out of 5 stars Very creative writing
Reviewed in Canada on January 17, 2016
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Very creative writing. Difficult to interpret the English slang but still able to enjoy the book.
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Sunny days
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
Was a magical book to read from childhood.
Had much humour and also life lessons. Clever story
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Annie
1.0 out of 5 stars It Reads like a terrible translation
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2021
Verified Purchase
Its almost impossible to understand. Have I got a bizzare or warped copy? I read this perfectly well as a child and the sentences now are strange and don't make any sense. its like wading through porridge.
One person found this helpful
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