The Magic World is an influential collection of twelve short stories by E. Nesbit . It was first published in book form in 1912 by Macmillan and Co. Ltd., with illustrations by H. R. Millar and Gerald Spencer Pryse . The stories, previously printed in magazines (like Blackie's Children's Annual ), are typical of Nesbit's arch, ironic, clever fantasies for children. Some of the twelve stories in the collection are: "The Cat-hood of Maurice" — a boy abuses the family cat, and learns to see things from the feline point of view. "The Mixed Mine" — two boys find a magic spyglass, and use it to make their fortunes. "Accidental Magic" — Quentin falls asleep on the altarstone at Stonehenge , and wakes in Atlantis . "The Princess and the Hedge-pig" — King Ozymandias and Queen Eliza plan a secret christening for their Princess Ozyliza, to avoid a wicked fairy's curse. Things go awry. "Septimus Septimusson" — he is the seventh son of a seventh son, who can see fairies and hear the beasts speak; and he must seek his fortune. "The White Cat" — a boy finds a china ornament in the attic; it proves to be a magic talisman. "Belinda and Bellamant" — they are a princess and prince suffering curses; a talking bat helps resolve their problems. "Justnowland" — Elsie visits a magic land of giant crows, and a dragon. "The Related Muff" — a sensitive boy, dismissed as a "muff" by his cousins, proves himself a hero in a crisis. "The Aunt and Amabel" — a girl enters a magic world through a wardrobe. "Kenneth and the Carp" — unjustly accused, a boy transforms into a fish and redeems his honor. "The Magician's Heart" — an evil magician distributes curses at royal christenings. Complications ensue. The story "The Aunt and Amabel" has received attention as a precursor of C. S. Lewis 's first Narnia novel, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe ."Accidental...