An incredible, heart-wrenching sequel to E. Nesbit’s Five Children and It, set on the eve of the First World War. The five children have grown up – war will change their lives for ever.

Cyril is off to fight, Anthea is at art college, Robert is a Cambridge scholar and Jane is at high school. The Lamb is the grown up age of 11, and he has a little sister, Edith, in tow. The sand fairy has become a creature of stories … until he suddenly reappears. The siblings are pleased to have something to take their minds off the war, but this time the Psammead is here for a reason, and his magic might have a more serious purpose.

Before this last adventure ends, all will be changed, and the two younger children will have seen the Great War from every possible viewpoint – factory-workers, soldiers and sailors, nurses and the people left at home, and the war’s impact will be felt right at the heart of their family.

KATE SAUNDERS

Kate Saunders began her career as a professional actor but moved into journalism following the publication of her first novel in 1986. She has written two literary novels, THE PRODIGAL FATHER and STORM IN THE CITADEL, and has edited an anthology (REVENGE) for Virago. She is also co-author, with Peter Stanford, of the controversial CATHOLICS AND SEX, published by Heinemann. Her other novels include NIGHT SHALL OVERTAKE US, WILD YOUNG BOHEMIANS, LILY JOSEPHINE, THE MARRYING GAME and BACHELOR BOYS. In 1999 Kate started a parallel career as a children’s writer with THE BELFRY WITCHES SERIES (Macmillan). Three books in the LAETITIA RODD series were published by Bloomsbury.

FIVE CHILDREN ON THE WESTERN FRONT, was published September 2014 by Faber and received wonderful reviews. It also won the Costa Children’s Book Award 2014 and has been shortlisted for the Carnegie Award 2016.

Kate sadly passed away in 2023.