It's startling enough to have a phoenix hatch in your house, but even more startling when it talks and reveals that you have a magic carpet on the floor. The vain and ancient bird accompanies the children on a series of adventures through time and space which, magic being what it is, rarely turn out as they were meant...This is sequel to "Five Children" and it continues the magical adventures of siblings Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane and their baby brother.