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Wings and the Child

E. Nesbit

Book Overview: 

When this book first came to my mind it came as a history and theory of the building of Magic Cities on tables, with bricks and toys and little things such as a child may find and use. But as I kept the thought by me it grew and changed, as thoughts will do, until at last it took shape as an attempt to contribute something, however small and unworthy, to the science of building a magic city in the soul of a child, a city built of all things pure and fine and beautiful." -- E. Nesbit

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Book Excerpt: 
. . .I do not mean a child at games—is to create. I use the word confidently. He will make as well as create, if you let him, but always he will create: he will use the whole force of dream and fancy to create something out of nothing—over and beyond what he will make out of such materials as he has to hand. The five-year-old will lay a dozen wooden bricks and four cotton reels together, set a broken cup on the top of them, and tell you it is a steam-engine. And it is. He has created the engine which he sees, and you don't see, and the pile of bricks and cotton reels is the symbol of his creation. He will silently borrow your best scissors and cut a serrated band of newspaper, which he will fasten round his head (with your best brooch, if he cannot find a pin), hang another newspaper from his shoulders, and sit in state holding the hearth-brush. He will tell you that he is a king[18]—and he is. He has created crown, robes, sceptre, and kingship. The pa. . . Read More

Community Reviews

So inspiring!

Some brilliant ideas, some wise advice, some less wise advice. Overall a worthwhile inspiring read.

I enjoyed the first half of this book and it contains a quote/idea I’ve been chewing on for awhile now about the relationship between fairytales and spiritual formation in children. The quote starts with “But Mr. Gradgrind prefers the lantern unlighted” and goes on to say that we’re not allowed to b

I grew up reading E. Nesbit's books, and only found this one recently in a used bookstore, where I plunked down more money than I should've on a first edition (not saying it wasn't worth it, just that I probably shouldn't be spending that much money on one book).

I'd never read anything non-fiction b

This book is a delightful introduction to the mind of a child at play. It is my belief that this book, along with Swallows and Amazons, should be mandatory reading for all mothers and educators.
Nesbit lays out some fundamental precepts on allowing the imaginative life to grow within a child- the de

3.5 stars. The first half (or so) of the book dealt with the author's philosophy of imagination in children and how to encourage children to use their imaginations in play, especially in creating imaginary worlds--really good. The last half (or so) of the book drilled down into the practical aspects

fascinating ruminations on how to play with children -which is a talent some have automatically but some need to learn. If you work with children in any capacity, as a parent, an educator, or a care giver, or some combination of these, you need to read this book.