Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
The Water-Babies
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
Buy Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
A classic since its first publication in 1863, The Water-Babies is the story of a little chimney sweep named Tom and his magical adventures beneath the waves. The ill-treated Tom flees his dangerous toil and his cruel master, Grimes. When he jumps into a cool stream to clean the soot off himself, he becomes a water-baby, cleaner and happier than he has ever been, in a hidden fairy world. There, Tom meets haughty dragonflies, makes friends with a slow-witted lobster, and dodges hungry otters. Eventually, he meets the other water-babies and their clever rulers, Mrs. Bedonebyasyoudid and Mrs. Doasyouwouldbedoneby. After a long and arduous quest to the Other-end-of-Nowhere, young Tom achieves his heart’s desire.
Critic reviews
More from the same
What listeners say about The Water-Babies
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- K Walts
- 28-04-22
So many childhood memories
Ahhhhh listening to this bought back so many childhood memories!!! I want to listen to the tv adapted version now.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ROSALIND BUCK
- 24-09-21
Good story but with a few bits of antique racism
Editing us a bit sloppy but if you can allow yourself to overlook a few instances of casual racism the intentions of the story are good.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- sarah c.
- 03-02-24
A bizarre story
I had this book as a child, I loved it for the beautiful glossy pictures, but never actually read it. I still have this book at age 52, so decided it was time to give it a listen. The narration was great. The story, well to say its strange is an understatement. I guess for a child there are lots of hidden lessons within the different chapters, but I actually thought Charles Kingsley was probably taking drugs whilst writing the second half! yes, I'm aware it's a fairly tale, but a very bizarre one at that. I'm glad at last I know the story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Motherhen
- 16-10-23
Delightful
I’ve not heard this lovely classic since I was a child. It is still magical and well worth listening to as an adult.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Hilary Pearson
- 12-05-23
Excellent
I have read this book myself years ago and enjoyed the telling of it by Simon Vance very much
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Deborah OK
- 10-03-23
Perfect fairytale to escape to.
I love this book and thoroughly enjoyed this production of it. Well read and provoked wonderful feelings of childhood in the telling of it.
Pure escapism for even an adult, and although dated, as any book of this age, the morals and the wonder are still appropriate.
Highly recommend this book to anyone with an imagination and a want to dream.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- willingfaith
- 29-12-22
Totally rubbish nonsense
Remembered the film with great affection, so thought I would listen to the book. Big mistake the book is confusing load of nonsense
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 22-11-22
weird!
I enjoyed this but found it a bit weird!
My best bit was when he stole the sweeties from the water fairy.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Miss S Clarke
- 15-09-22
Nothing really happens in the story!
I found the book blended into the background. nothing much really happens and there isn't really much character development.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon customer
- 03-09-22
As relevant today as when it was written
Excellent narration, wonderful story. All adults should read this and look to their own behaviour.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!