When four children are sent to stay with their aunt, they're met by her cantankerous staff, and it isn't long before Ellie meets the Psammead, who grants her wish to have a twin.
Ellie's twin gives Mrs. Dobbs such a fright that she quits, the children's aunt returns home, and then the kids visit the 1990s.
The children make a startling discovery when they visit their aunt's home in the future. Later, George tries to protect the Psammead from a hunter by bringing it home.
The children have their hands full when their aunt wishes to remember what it felt like to be young.
The Psammead vanishes, the parrot develops the ability to talk, and the milkman travels from London to win Bessie's hand, but he discovers Mr. Dawkins is a rival for her affections.
An invisible Pip foils the Dobbs' family's evil scheme.