The Water Babies: A Fairy Tale for a Land-Baby (Dover Children's Classics)

About this book

Embarrassed by his grimy appearance in the presence of an immaculate little girl ten-year-old Toman ill-treated London chimney-sweeppromptly runs away. Diving into a river he enters a magical underwater world where he meets wee creatures of the deep and learns about goodness fairness and "right and wrong." Young readers will find themselves anticipating with pleasure the frequent appearances of such enchanting characters as Mrs. Doasyouwouldbedoneby a fairy queen who takes many forms in the course of the tale. Charles Kingsleys story of the virtues of good conduct and useful living was one of the English clergymans many tales that were meant to draw attention to the evils of nineteenth-century lifeamong them enforced child labor. From its poignant look at a young sweeps grim life to its intriguing philosophy on the nature of fairies the book can be read and re-read from childhood to old age. Immensely popular when first published in book form in 1863it was originally serializedthis beloved classic will captivate todays readers as much as it stirred imaginations well over a century ago.