This is a fun adventure tale of four children who happen to be the recipients of a magic carpet and a magical phoenix egg. They use the carpet for travel and wishes and take the often wise (but occasionally foolish) advice of the phoenix.

Nesbit uses the same family as in [b:Five Children and It|3429944|Five Children and It|E. Nesbit|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1418274955l/3429944._SX50_.jpg|975095], so this is technically a sequel. However, no familiarity is needed with the original to enjoy this book.

For modern readers, it does have a few cringy moments, including visiting an island/beach of some sort and having the inhabitants called savages. One visitor to the island even asks if they were "tamed." Totally cringe worthy.

This book is going in my literature basket for my 9 and 10 year old children. I was evaluating using it as a literature book, but think that it's better suited as a free time read or even a read-aloud. I may also hand it over to my tenth grader. He is doing mostly British literature this year, and this would be a light, easy read to have after one of the darker, heavier reads we have lined up.