Edith Nesbit stories have been loved by readers around the world for decades. She has been described as the first modern writer for children. Prior to Nesbit's contributions, children were only read fairy tales and fantasies, nothing to do with real world problems. The thought was to keep the children's minds safe from the harsh realities of the world.
Edith Nesbit came along and changed all of that. Her writings portray life the way it really happens. She points out in her stories that people often make mistakes and innocent people may suffer as a consequence.
As you read Ms. Nesbit's books, you forget that these were written so long ago. The characters come to life and take you along with them on their journeys. She wrote over 40 children's books, as well as collections of poems and plays.
The Magic City revolves around a character named Philip. After Philip's older sister and sole family member Helen marries, he goes off to live with his new step sister Lucy. He has trouble adjusting at first, thrown into a world different from his previous life and abandoned by his sister while she is on her honeymoon.
To entertain himself he builds a giant model city from things around the house: game pieces, books, blocks, bowls, etc. Then through some magic he finds himself inside the city, and it is alive with the people he has populated it with. Some soldiers find him and tell him that two outsiders have been foretold to be coming: a Deliverer and a Destroyer. Mr. Noah, from a Noah's Ark playset, tells Philip that there are seven great deeds to be performed if he wants to prove himself the Deliverer. Lucy, too, has found her way into the city and joins Philip as a co-Deliverer, much to his chagrin.
With some seeing strong parallels to the Harry Potter books, The Magic City is a great adventure ride for people of all ages!
