Five Children and It · Character

Cyril

The eldest boy, whose sharp logic and scornful tongue make him the children's reluctant strategist whenever a wish goes wrong.

major

Also known as the crafty Cyril

First appearance: Five Children and It

As a major figure in Five Children and It, Cyril is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

One of the five children, described as crafty, who helps find the Psammead.

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Cyril is the eldest of the five and the one who thinks fastest when a wish has landed them in trouble. He is scornful of easy comfort, pointing out that no grown-up would believe in a Psammead and that stolen jewels would make their mother a receiver of stolen goods. His clear-eyed pessimism keeps the others from confessing too soon, and his schemes shape how the children survive each magical mishap.

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Character Web

25 connections

A slice of how Cyril sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family

Character groups

Core family and household
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Cyril’s secret, early-morning negotiation with the Psammead repres…

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Relationships

Robert
family · positive
Cyril and Robert are brothers, often engaging in sibling rivalry and adventures together. How this plays out →
Anthea
family · positive
Jane
family · positive
The Lamb
family · positive
Mother
family · positive
Billy Peasemarsh
rivalry · negative
The Psammead
friendship · positive
Robert
family · positive
Cyril and Robert are brothers, often engaging in sibling rivalry and adventures together. How this plays out →
Anthea
family · positive
The Lamb
family · positive
Robert
family · positive
Cyril and Robert are brothers, often engaging in sibling rivalry and adventures together. How this plays out →
Anthea
family · positive

Robert
Cyril and Robert are brothers, often engaging in sibling rivalry and adventures together.
Anthea
Anthea and Cyril are brother and sister, sharing a close bond and frequently collaborating on schemes.
Jane
Cyril and Jane are brother and sister, with Cyril sometimes teasing Jane but ultimately protective.
The Lamb
Cyril is the older brother to The Lamb, sometimes impatient but fond of the baby.
Mother
Cyril has a respectful and loving relationship with his mother, who is often absent but dearly loved.
Billy Peasemarsh
Billy Peasemarsh and Cyril are antagonists, frequently engaging in conflicts and power struggles.
The Psammead
Cyril interacts with the Psammead with a mix of curiosity and impatience, often pushing for wishes.
Robert
Cyril and Robert are brothers, often engaging in sibling rivalry and adventures together.
Anthea
Anthea and Cyril are brother and sister, sharing a close bond and frequently collaborating on schemes.
The Lamb
Cyril is the older brother to The Lamb, sometimes impatient but fond of the baby.
Robert
Cyril and Robert are brothers, often engaging in sibling rivalry and adventures together.
Anthea
Anthea and Cyril are brother and sister, sharing a close bond and frequently collaborating on schemes.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

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In the story

Cyril appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Five Children and It
One of the five children, described as crafty, who helps find the Psammead.
Beautiful as the Day
Suggests digging in the gravel-pit; nips his finger in a hutch door.
Golden Guineas
Skeptical of Anthea's methods; uses his own money to buy ginger-beer and sponge-cakes when the gold is refused.
III: Being Wanted
Leads the discussion about the Psammead and later explains that the wish didn't affect their true feelings.
Wings
Cyril comments on the flying experience and questions the morality of stealing plums.
No Wings
Hides the stolen soda-water syphon and confesses to the theft.
VI: A Castle and No Dinner
Present in the castle; tightens his belt ostentatiously when no food appears.
VII: A Siege and Bed
Explains invisibility, discovers the biscuit trick, and participates in defense.
Bigger Than the Baker’s Boy
Proposes playing bandits to spark a useful wish; later helps plan taking Robert to the fair.
Grown Up
Cyril wakes early and negotiates with the Psammead to allow instant wishes; later, in frustration, he wishes the Lamb would grow up, causing the central crisis.
X: Scalps
Cyril's wish for Red Indians, inspired by 'The Last of the Mohicans', sets the chapter's events in motion.
XI: The Last Wish
Discusses wish ideas and worries about the consequences of Jane's wish; later makes paper boats while waiting.

Chapter companion notes

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