Cyril, Anthea, Robert and Jane are "the sort of people that wonderful things happen to." And the children have yet more adventures ahead of them. Following up on "Five Children and It" and "The Phoenix and the Carpet", they once again meet the wish-granting Psammead fairy. This time, he guides them to an ancient Amulet that will help them find their hearts' desire, but it is only half an amulet, and the search for the other half will have them whizzing about through time.