# Anthea — Five Children and It character guide > Anthea in Five Children and It by E. Nesbit. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Golden Guineas Anthea, the upright Anthea, the now reckless Anthea **First appearance:** 0001-five-children-and-it ## Snapshot The second-eldest, whose quiet courage and careful kindness let her win the Psammead's trust when the others only pester it for wishes. ## Who they are Anthea is the well-brought-up sister who folds her nightgown by the seams and rises at five to dig up the Sand-fairy alone. She would rather carry a plan through by herself than share it, and her gentleness with the cold, cross Psammead wins her a lap and a truce from its wish-granting. Her carefulness and her willingness to act alone make her the moral centre of the children's adventures. ## Relationships ### [Robert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/characters/robert) _family_ Anthea and Robert are siblings, with Anthea often acting as the responsible older sister to Robert's impulsive nature. ### [Cyril](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/characters/cyril) _family_ Anthea and Cyril are brother and sister, sharing a close bond and frequently collaborating on schemes. ### [Jane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/characters/jane) _family_ Anthea and Jane are sisters, sharing a supportive and affectionate relationship. ### [Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/characters/martha) _professional_ Anthea interacts with Martha, the family servant, who helps care for the children and the household. ### [The Lamb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/characters/the_lamb) _family_ Anthea is the older sister to The Lamb (the baby brother), often looking after him with maternal care. ### [The Psammead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/characters/the_psammead) _friendship_ Anthea forms a friendly bond with the Psammead, the magical creature, often negotiating wishes with empathy. ### [Red Indians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/characters/red_indians) _social_ Anthea encounters a group of Red Indians (from a wish), leading to a brief and confusing interaction. ### [The Lamb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/characters/the_lamb) _family_ Anthea is the older sister to The Lamb (the baby brother), often looking after him with maternal care. ### [Cyril](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/characters/cyril) _family_ Anthea and Cyril are brother and sister, sharing a close bond and frequently collaborating on schemes. ### [Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/characters/martha) _professional_ Anthea interacts with Martha, the family servant, who helps care for the children and the household. ### [Robert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/characters/robert) _family_ Anthea and Robert are siblings, with Anthea often acting as the responsible older sister to Robert's impulsive nature. ### [Red Indians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/characters/red_indians) _social_ Anthea encounters a group of Red Indians (from a wish), leading to a brief and confusing interaction. ## In the story ### [Five Children and It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/chapters/five-children-and-it) One of the five children, the upright one, who interacts with the Psammead. ### [Beautiful as the Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/chapters/i-beautiful-as-the-day) Wakes first after the wish; suggests the wish to be beautiful; shows concern for the Psammead. ### [Golden Guineas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/chapters/ii-golden-guineas) Takes the lead in hiring the pony-cart and attempting to buy a hat; her dirty hands cause suspicion. ### [III: Being Wanted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/chapters/iii-being-wanted) Takes charge in retrieving the Lamb from the gipsies and shows courage in offering him back. ### [Wings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/chapters/iv-wings) Anthea wakes at five, consults the Psammead alone, and leads the wish for wings. ### [No Wings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/chapters/v-no-wings) Comforts Jane and takes a leading role in apologizing to the Vicar. ### [VI: A Castle and No Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/chapters/vi-a-castle-and-no-dinner) Tries to make the best of the situation; explores the castle with the others. ### [VII: A Siege and Bed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/chapters/vii-a-siege-and-bed) Suggests using biscuits for provisions and tries to reassure Jane about the siege. ### [Bigger Than the Baker’s Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/chapters/viii-bigger-than-the-baker-s-boy) Mediates conflicts and suggests Robert have a double share of fair earnings. ### [Grown Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/chapters/ix-grown-up) Anthea warns Cyril to be careful just before he makes the wish, and later defends the Lamb against plans to bully him. ### [X: Scalps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/chapters/x-scalps) Anthea takes decisive action to protect the Lamb by breaking the jug and sending him away with Martha. ### [XI: The Last Wish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/chapters/xi-the-last-wish) Warns against careless wishes; suggests telling mother the truth; leads the search for the Psammead and makes the final wish for its sleep. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/characters/anthea - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_children_and_it_se/characters