Digging in the gravel pit on a hot summer’s day, five children discover ‘it’: a grumpy creature with eyes like a snail’s, ears like a bat’s, and a tubby body all covered in fur. ‘It’ is a Psammead, an ancient sand-fairy who has the power to grant the children one wish a day. That, you might think, would be a dream come true! But you need to be very careful what you wish for: whether it’s for wings, treasure or beauty, things can - and often will - go wrong.

With all the illustrations by H. R. Millar, newly scanned from the original edition.