Knock Three Times! by Marion St. John Webb

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Knock Three Times! by Marion St. John Webb

(1 User reviews) 266

By Emily Stewart Posted on Mar 30, 2026

In Category - Medieval Literature

Authors: Webb, Marion St. John, 1888-1930 Published By : Webb, Marion St. John, 1888-1930

Book Language: English

Hey, have you ever wondered what's really going on in the world right next to yours? I just finished 'Knock Three Times!' by Marion St. John Webb, and it's the perfect little escape. It’s about a girl named Elsie who discovers a secret passage in her ordinary London house. It doesn't lead to a dusty cellar, though—it leads straight into a magical land called Wonderland (no, not *that* one!). But here's the catch: a witch has put a sleeping spell on the entire kingdom, and Elsie might be the only one who can break it. The book is like a cozy, forgotten fairy tale from 1917 that feels both wonderfully old-fashioned and surprisingly fresh. It’s short, sweet, and full of that quiet, curious magic that makes you want to check your own walls for hidden doors. If you're in the mood for a gentle, charming adventure that proves you don't need epic battles for a story to be magical, give this one a knock.

File: Knock Three Times! by Marion St. John Webb

First published in 1917, Marion St. John Webb's Knock Three Times! is a hidden gem of children's fantasy. It's a portal story written with a gentle, dreamlike quality that feels like stepping into a sepia-toned photograph that suddenly bursts into color.

The Story

Elsie is a lonely girl living in a big, quiet London house. One day, she finds a mysterious, ivy-covered door in the garden wall. Following the instructions of a talking robin, she knocks three times and is whisked away to Wonderland—a peaceful kingdom now under a terrible spell. A wicked witch has put everyone, from the king and queen down to the palace mice, into an enchanted sleep. Guided by her new animal friends, Elsie embarks on a quest to find the three magical items needed to break the spell: a singing rose, a crystal dewdrop, and a burning coal. Her journey isn't about fighting monsters, but about perseverance, kindness, and paying close attention to the natural world around her.

Why You Should Read It

What charmed me most wasn't the plot, but the feeling. Webb's writing has a serene, poetic rhythm. The magic is soft and woven into everyday things—roses, dew, firelight. Elsie is a wonderful heroine because her strength is her quiet determination and good heart. She solves problems by being thoughtful, not forceful. Reading this book feels like a calming antidote to our noisy, fast-paced world. It’s also a fascinating look at early 20th-century children's literature, showing that stories about brave girls on adventures are nothing new!

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves classic, gentle fairy tales. It's an ideal read-aloud for younger kids (with short chapters and lovely imagery), but I'd especially recommend it to adult readers who enjoy nostalgic children's classics like The Secret Garden or the works of E. Nesbit. It's a short, soothing read—the literary equivalent of a cup of tea on a rainy afternoon. Don't expect high-stakes drama; instead, come for a warm, whimsical story about the magic that might be waiting, if you're brave enough to knock on the right door.