This book is a children's fantasy novel written by E. Nesbit; it is followed by a trilogy of novels which follows the adventures of five children: Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane and the lamb. Their mother buys the kids a new carpet to replace one from the nursery who have destroyed in an accidental fire. The children find an egg in the carpet, which opens in a Phoenix who speaks. The Phoenix explains that the carpet will cause some spells ...