The Water-Babies

A Fairy Tale for a Land-Baby

A children’s novel about a young chimney sweep named Tom who falls into a river after encountering an upper-class girl named Ellie and being chased out of her house. He appears to drown, but is transformed into a “water-baby.” Tom soon embarks on a series of adventures and lessons.

First published in 1862-63 as a serial for Macmillan’s Magazine, this edition is derived from the book published in 1885 with 100 black and white illustrations by Linley Sambourne and the book published in 1916 with 12 color illustrations by Jessie Willcox Smith. As always, this edition is completed and unabridged.