The Water Babies

6C Charles Kingsley. London: Macmillan and Co., 1907. Notes The Water-Babies: A Fairy Tale for a Land-Baby is a children’s novel by Charles Kingsley, first published in 1863. It tells the story of Tom, a poor chimney sweep who falls into a river, is transformed into a “water-baby,” and begins a fantastical underwater journey of moral and spiritual education. Blending fairy tale, satire, and Victorian social commentary, the book addresses issues such as child labor, education, evolution, and religious belief, often in playful but pointed ways. Though written as a fantasy for children, The Water-Babies reflects Kingsley’s deep concerns about social reform and moral responsibility, making it a distinctive and influential work of 19th-century children’s literature. Description Black leather boards with gilt insignia on front and back boards. Red label on spine with gilt decorative elements and lettering. Marbled endpapers, embossed turn-ins, and Sunfading to the spine. Pristine condition.