'The Phoenix and the Carpet' is a childhood classic that many of us know and love. It follows on from 'Five Children and It', showing the lives of five siblings as they unexpectedly find themselves in possession of a carpet that grants wishes. The carpet comes with a phoenix egg which soon hatches into a brilliant (and conceited) Phoenix. This is a story full of magic, quests and good deeds; one that everybody should read at least once in their lifetime.

I've read 'The Phoenix and the Carpet' long ago when I was younger and so it was really nice to go back and re-read this old classic. Naturally, I didn't remember all the details of the book, and there were some things that I grasped more clearly as an adult, but I still really enjoyed reading it again.
In many ways I was slightly dissatisfied with the book because all their adventures seemed to be over incredibly quickly. So although the children do go on lots of adventures on the carpet they're all mini adventures. I enjoyed the fact that E. Nesbit divided her book among the children having adventures at home and adventures abroad on the carpet; it wasn't all daring foreign quests. Sometimes some of the worst scraps they got into was on their own soil; so it was good of Nesbit to create excitement out of everyday life.
I found the characterisation of the siblings enjoyable, and all the other characters were well portrayed, with a few exceptions. Due to the time the book was written there is slight insensitivity when describing the 'savages' they encounter on an island. In Nesbit's defence, considering the era she lived in Nesbit's writing is downright liberal. However, it does feel a bit odd being read in a modern day context. Secondly, I detested the character of the Phoenix because he was so conceited and big-headed I just couldn't stand how he boasted all the time.
Despite these petty grievances I really did enjoy reading this book again and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good children's book.