In this follow-up to Five Children and It, after a summer of granting wishes for five children at the beach, the sand fairy Psammead is back, this time to help out four sullen youngsters who've been sent to live in the country with their strict aunt (Anna Massey). But rather than use their wishes for their own gain, the sibling quartet selflessly helps a sickly neighbor, plays matchmaker and helps improve their caretaker's cranky disposition.