Five Children and It Activity Sheet
Chatterbooks in Lockdown

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This book was published in 1902, and while some aspects of it may seem a little strange to modern readers, particularly the way life was at the time for children, it is nonetheless an exciting adventure story. Several sequels have been written, including “Four Children and It” by Jacqueline Wilson. Like E. Nesbitt’s other famous book “The Railway Children”, the story begins when the children move from London to the countryside with interesting results! So just how well did you read the book? Have a go at this little quiz and find out:
Not read it yet? Order a copy using Arena the online library catalogue.

1. List the names of the 5 children (with nicknames if possible)
2. What is “It” mentioned in the title and what does the name “It” has mean?
3. Where do the children first meet “It”?
4. How old is “It”?
5. What is the ability that “It” has?
6. What happens at sunset?
7. Do the children’s wishes turn out as they expect?
8. Who gets blamed for the jewellery robbery?
9. How did ‘Lamb’ get his nickname?
10. Think of an adjective (describing word) that best describes “It”.

Click here for the answers

The Psammead

This is how the Psammead is described:
He had “eyes (that) were on long horns like a snail’s eyes, and it could move them in and out like telescopes; it had ears like bat’s ears, and its tubby body was shaped like a spider’s and covered with thick soft fur; its legs and arms were furry too and it had hands and feet like a monkey’s and whiskers like a rat’s. When it grants wishes it stretches out its eyes, holds its breath and swells alarmingly.”
Can you draw a picture of what you think the Psammead looks like based on this description?

Be Careful What You Wish For

The Psammead was able to grant the children one wish per day. They were very excited about this, taking it in turns to make the wishes, making 8 wishes in total. Sometimes they considered what to wish for carefully, at other times they rushed into making a wish. Each of the wishes led to adventures, often with quite serious consequences. By the end of the book, the children had learnt that people don’t always get what they wish for and wishes can lead to unexpected problems.

Draw a table with three columns, the first column has the wish number (1-8). Look back at the book and list the 8 wishes that the Psammead granted for the children in column 2. Then, in the 3rd column, state what the consequences of each wish was and whether it was what the children had expected from the wish.

Click here to see the wish answers

Calling Jacqueline Wilson Fans

Dame Jacqueline Wilson wrote her version of this story for the 21st Century. It is called “Four Children and It”. If you get a chance, do read it - you can request a copy online here. Try to list the similarities and differences between the 2 books. Consider why Jacqueline Wilson may have changed some of the ideas and attitudes in the book. Which book do you prefer and why?

Quiz Answers

1. List the names of the 5 children (with nicknames if possible) Cyril (Squirrel), Anthea (Panther), Robert (Bobs), Jane (Pussy) Hilary (Lamb)
2. What is “It” mentioned in the title and what does the name “It” has mean? The Psammead, which means sand nymph (fairy)
3. Where do the children first meet “It”? In a gravel pit
4. How old is “It”? Thousands of years old
5. What is the ability that “It” has? It can grant wishes
6. What happens at sunset? The wishes turn to stone at sunset
7. Do the children’s wishes turn out as they expect? No - wishes have unexpected consequences
8. Who gets blamed for the jewellery robbery? The gamekeeper
9. How did ‘Lamb’ get his nickname? His first word was “baa”
10. Think of an adjective (describing word) that best describes “It”. Grumpy

 

Be Careful What You Wish For Answers

1. That they could be beautiful – but Lamb didn’t recognise them and the servants shut them out of the house.
2. That the sandpit be filled with gold – but everyone was suspicious and coins were not accepted as they were out of circulation.
3. That Lamb be looked after by someone else – but everyone wanted him and he was kidnapped.
4. For wings to fly – but got stranded on bell tower with no way of getting down
5. Robert wishes to be twice as tall as bullying baker’s boy – but ends up 11 feet tall and becomes a freak act at the travelling circus.
6. Cyril wishes baby would grow up – but he becomes a selfish smug young man.
7. Cyril wants to play proper cowboys and Indians – but children end up nearly being scalped.
8. For their mother to get rich woman’s jewellery – but innocent man blamed for theft.

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Page last updated: 8th February 2021