Five Children and It · Character

The Lamb

The baby of the family, doted on and passed from hand to hand, whose accidental wishes turn him into a languid grown-up stranger.

supporting

Also known as Lamb, the loyal Lamb, the whimpering Lamb, Lamb ducky, the new Lamb, the unwilling Lamb, the dear Lamb

First appearance: Five Children and It

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

The child addressed in the dedication, portrayed as very small and unable to read, with dimpled hands reaching for books.

In the storyDedicationOpen this moment free

See The Lamb in Dedication Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

The Lamb is the toddler brother whom Martha dresses in his best coat and the older children alternately cherish and try to hand off. When a careless wish ages him into a drawling young man in a grey flannel suit, the others must decide whether his mind grew up with his body. His transformation turns the family's ordinary burden of babysitting into a crisis that tests their loyalty and their nerve.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of The Lamb sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See The Lamb in Five Children and It

Character Web

20 connections

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

Relationship types

Family
Professional

Character groups

Core family and household
Protagonist

+15 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

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…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Anthea
family · positive
Anthea is the older sister to The Lamb (the baby brother), often looking after him with… How this plays out →
Cyril
family · positive
Robert
family · positive
Martha
professional · positive
Jane
family · positive
Lady Chittenden
social · ambivalent
Anthea
family · positive
Anthea is the older sister to The Lamb (the baby brother), often looking after him with… How this plays out →
Cyril
family · positive
Jane
family · positive
Robert
family · positive
Lady Chittenden
social · ambivalent
Martha
professional · positive

Anthea
Anthea is the older sister to The Lamb (the baby brother), often looking after him with maternal care.
Cyril
Cyril is the older brother to The Lamb, sometimes impatient but fond of the baby.
Robert
Robert is the older brother to The Lamb, occasionally annoyed by the baby's demands but caring.
Martha
Martha is the nursemaid responsible for caring for The Lamb, with a mix of affection and exasperation.
Jane
Jane is the older sister to The Lamb, often gentle and protective toward the baby.
Lady Chittenden
Lady Chittenden is a neighbor who interacts with The Lamb, often in a fussy or condescending manner.
Anthea
Anthea is the older sister to The Lamb (the baby brother), often looking after him with maternal care.
Cyril
Cyril is the older brother to The Lamb, sometimes impatient but fond of the baby.
Jane
Jane is the older sister to The Lamb, often gentle and protective toward the baby.
Robert
Robert is the older brother to The Lamb, occasionally annoyed by the baby's demands but caring.
Lady Chittenden
Lady Chittenden is a neighbor who interacts with The Lamb, often in a fussy or condescending manner.
Martha
Martha is the nursemaid responsible for caring for The Lamb, with a mix of affection and exasperation.

Relationship notes

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

See The Lamb in Five Children and It

In the story

The Lamb appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Dedication
The child addressed in the dedication, portrayed as very small and unable to read, with dimpled hands reaching for books.
Five Children and It
The youngest child, present during the discovery and wish.
Beautiful as the Day
The baby, carried in turns by the others; called 'Lamb' because 'Baa' was his first word.
III: Being Wanted
Causes chaos at breakfast, is wished away to the gipsies, and is safely retrieved; kisses the gipsy woman.
No Wings
Not present in this chapter.
Bigger Than the Baker’s Boy
Sneezes and is kept indoors due to a cold; not part of the fair plan.
Grown Up
The Lamb is the subject of Cyril's wish; he transforms from a baby into a young man with a moustache, then reverts at sunset.
X: Scalps
The Lamb is sent away for safety with Martha, avoiding the Indian attack.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for The Lamb unlock in the free preview.

See The Lamb in Five Children and It

See The Lamb in Dedication