The Phoenix and the Carpet: E. Nesbit (The Psammead Series)

'I love her books - particularly the Five Children and It sequence' Neil Gaiman

Due to a misadventure with a firework, a replacement carpet is needed for the children's room. An old Persian rug is found and as it is unfurled, a glowing stone egg rolls out, which the children place on the mantelpiece. When the egg accidentally falls into the fire, a very strange thing happens: out hatches a marvellous flame-coloured bird. And if that weren't enough of a surprise, the bird (who turns out to be a very vain phoenix) tells them that their carpet is magic: it will take them anywhere they wish to visit - over the London streets to tropical islands and Indian bazaars. Guiding them throughout their adventures (though he's more often a hindrance than a help) is their new friend, the phoenix.

'Nesbit opened the door in the magic wardrobe, pointed the way to platform nine and three quarters. She even had a hand in building the Tardis. And these are among her minor achievements. She is also simply the funniest writer we have ever had' Frank Cottrell-Boyce

'My all-time favourite classic children's author' Jacqueline Wilson