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Product Description
Product Description
Charles Kingsley's story of the boy chimney sweep is a children's classic. Sympathetically retold by Jane Carruth, the abridged text is complemented by Anne Grahame Johnstone's enchanting illustrations.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
81 of 83 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A much underrated and neglected gem of children's writing, The Water Babies is a book many people have heard of but few have actually read. It is a carefully-constructed C19th tale in which delicate, humorous sketches and caricatures of the era's wealthy and servant classes are contrasted with intricate studies of the urban poor. Unwittingly, the central figure Tom, a scrawny infant chimney-sweep, embarks on an adventurous, surreal underwater existence, which results in his dramatic moral progression.
It can be read on a variety of levels - as a profound philosophical exploration; as a moral entreaty for the improvement of social conditions; as an early example of science fiction; or as an alternative magical children's world. The imagery is delightful and inventive and Kingsley writes with a deft, simple elegance that makes for very easy reading. There are many moments of truly exquisite poetry such as when Tom sits alone on a rock, listening to the sounds of the countryside animals in the cool night around him.
The Water Babies is an extraordinary novel and well worth rediscovering.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It is not clear that this is a retold version until you receive it and realise this isn't the story you remembered! Very disappointed, especially as I had ordered for a specific purpose and needed it in time. Return process is very easy however!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I had this version of the book when I was a child and ADORED it. The story is fantastic and the illistrations I would stare at for ages! Loved it! Can't wait to read it to my children! :D
Most Recent Customer Reviews
timeles story
My ten year old Granddaughter Lilly was reading this book at school, and wanted her own copy which I, with great pleasure purchased for her.
Published 6 months ago by Mrs. P. B. Baynes
Nice pictures; where did 195 pages go?
Amazon seem to have developped a habit of crossing over reviews to several products with a similar but not identical description. Read more
Published 20 months ago by D Poisson
The Water Babies
This is a lovely book a classic read and beautifully illustrated. Excellent value for money too.
Published on 15 Jun 2009 by L. K. McLelland
The water Babies
A lovely story for all ages, this version is a shortened down version of the 1960's original and is also illustrated nicely too.
Published on 8 Jun 2009 by E. Todd
"Retold" version ALERT!
Such a shame that something with such nice pictures is "RETOLD" by Jane Carruth as it DOESN'T say anywhere here, but does on the inside flyleaf when you eventually recieve it... Read more
Published on 23 April 2009 by Mrs. Y. Conchie
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