A destitute orphan named Tom works for the villainous chimney-sweep Grimes, sent up inside flues to scrape away the soot. Lost during this grim task, he wanders into the bedroom of Ellie, the household’s young daughter, who takes him for a thief. Fleeing, hot and flustered, he tumbles into a cooling stream, drifts off to sleep, and wakes transformed into a Water Baby. His new underwater existence brings him into contact with an assortment of creatures, among them an engaging old lobster and other water babies, before he reaches St Branden’s Isle and meets the fierce Mrs Bedonebyeasyoudid alongside the motherly Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby. Only after a long and demanding journey to the Other-end-of-Nowhere does young Tom finally win his heart’s desire.
ISBN 13: 9781853261480
Author: Charles Kingsley, Jr.
