Rosalind and Robbie are staying with their father, David, his wife, Alice, and their half sister, Maudie whilst their mother is on an Open University course.

The Psammead grants the wish and David takes an interest, claiming that Robbie would be an amazing gymnast.

Smash is a famous singer and in the middle of her concert in the O2 Arena when the wish ends, and the children are left alone.

The following day David and Alice take the children to go see Smash's favourite author Marvel O'Kaye.

Maudie wishes that the people from the various nursery rhymes, the characters of Jack and Jill; Polly and Sukey; Ring Around the Rosie and the Cat, the Cow, the Dog, the Dish and the Spoon would come to life, but they continue to ignore the children until sunset.

[1] When they return home David comes back with some things; a hamster for Robbie, a gymnastics leotard for Smash, a notebook for Rosalind, and Maudie receives a story book with all the characters she wished for.

The children realise that their presents were their heart's desire: Robbie a pet; Smash to receive attention and Rosalind to keep writing stories.

A feature film directed by Andy De Emmony and produced for Sky, titled Four Kids and It, was released in April 2020.