Caldecott medalist Paul O. Zelinsky brings to life the magical adventures of five children who stumble upon an ancient and grumpy sand fairy with the power to make wishes come true. The fairy grants the children one wish a day, and soon dreams of untold riches, flying, and other marvels become reality. But it Isn't long before greed and misunderstandings begin leading to one hilarious disaster after another, and the children start to wonder whether It might be best to wish that their fairy return to the sand. A wonderful, timeless tale, perfectly complemented with Paul Zelinsky's twelve warm and funny paintings.