The Magic City (novel) facts for kids
Front cover of the first edition
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| Author | Edith Nesbit |
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| Illustrator | H. R. Millar |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Macmillan |
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Publication date
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1910 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover; later paperback) |
| Pages | 333 pp |
The Magic City is an exciting children's book. It was written by E. Nesbit. The book first came out in 1910. It was first published in parts in The Strand Magazine. Spencer Pryse drew pictures for it.
Story of The Magic City
The story begins with a boy named Philip. His older sister, Helen, gets married. Philip then moves in with his new stepsister, Lucy. He feels a bit lost and lonely at first. His sister is away on her honeymoon.
To pass the time, Philip builds a huge model city. He uses all sorts of things from the house. These include game pieces, books, and blocks. Suddenly, something magical happens! Philip finds himself inside his own city. The city is alive with all the people he imagined.
Soldiers in the city find Philip. They tell him about a prophecy. It says two outsiders will come. One will be a "Deliverer." The other will be a "Destroyer." Mr. Noah, from a Noah's Ark toy set, meets Philip. He tells Philip he must do seven great deeds. This will prove he is the Deliverer.
Soon, Lucy also finds her way into the city. She joins Philip as a co-Deliverer. Philip is not very happy about this at first. Together, they must face challenges. They work to save the Magic City.
Places in the Story
- Laburnum Cottage: This is Philip and Helen's home. It is where the book starts.
- The Grange: This is the home of Helen's new husband. It is also where Lucy lives.
- Polistarchia: This is the magical country. It is where the Magic City is located.
- Polistopolis: This is the main Magic City. It is the capital of Polistarchia.
- The Land of the Dwellers by the Sea: This is a region within Polistarchia.
- The Island: This is an island off the coast in the Sea.
- Somnolentia: This area was once called Briskford. The Great Sloth renamed it. It is in the north of Polistarchia. The Halma people live here.
Main Characters
- From Laburnum Cottage:
- Philip: Also called Pip. He is the main character.
- Helen: Philip's older sister.
- At The Grange:
- Lucy: Also called Lu. She is Philip's stepsister.
- Peter Graham: Lucy's father.
- The Nurse: She helps care for Lucy.
- In Polistarchia:
- Mr. Noah: He is the chief judge in the Magic City.
- Mr. Perrin: He is a carpenter.
- The Motor Veil Lady: She tries to pretend she is the Deliverer. She is called "Pretenderette."
- The Lord High Islander: He lives on The Island.
- Animals from Polistarchia:
- Polly: A parrot.
- Max and Brenda: Two dogs.
- The Hippogriff: A mythical creature.
- The Great Sloth: A very lazy creature.
The Seven Great Deeds
Philip and Lucy had to complete seven Great Deeds. These deeds proved they were the Deliverers. Some deeds were mostly done by one person. Others were a team effort. Mr. Noah announced three deeds as "Great Deeds" after they were finished. The other four were tasks given to them.
- 1. Kill the Dragon: This was an assigned task. Philip did most of the work. Lucy played the role of a princess in trouble.
- 2. Disentangling the Mazy Carpet: This was also an assigned task. Lucy mostly completed this deed.
- 3. Slay the Fear of the Dwellers by the Sea: This was an assigned task. Philip did most of this brave deed.
- 4. Slaying the Lions in the Desert: Philip and Lucy worked together on this. It was completed before deed number 3. Mr. Noah later said it was a Great Deed.
- 5. Supplying Polistarchia with Fruit: Philip did this deed. It was later declared a Great Deed.
- 6. Devise a Means of Keeping the Great Sloth Awake and Busy: This was an assigned task. Philip and Lucy worked together to solve it.
- 7. Freeing Polistopolis from the Pretenderette: This was a shared task. It was declared a Great Deed after they finished it.
