E. Nesbit

Five Children and It

When five children leave London for the freedom of the White House in the country, they discover a strange sand-fairy in the gravel-pit: the Psammead, who can grant wishes. But wishes are never simple. What begins as a thrilling game soon turns into confusion, worry, and a near-disaster involving missing jewels and mistaken blame. As the children try to put things right, they learn that getting what you want can be far trickier than it seems—and that kindness and cleverness matter more than having your own way.