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The Water Babies (BBC Children's Classics)

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The Water Babies (BBC Children's Classics)

By: Charles Kingsley
Narrated by: Berlie Doherty, Timothy West, Julia McKenzie
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About this listen

Timothy West, Julia McKenzie and Oliver Peace star in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Charles Kingsley's classic tale of a chimney sweep who becomes a water baby.

Forced up the chimneys of Hartover Hall by his cruel master, Grimes, young Tom gets lost and comes down the wrong one, frightening little Miss Ellie. In the chase that follows, he is rescued by the fairies and taken to be a water baby under the waves. There, he makes friends with sea creatures such as the Lobster and meets the beautiful, kind fairy Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby and her ugly, unpleasant sister Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid. When he is introduced to the other Water Babies, he is reunited with Ellie, who has also been transformed. With her support, he sets off on a quest to the Other-End-Of-Nowhere. But first he must find Mother Carey's peace pool – and help out the last person he wants to save: his former master....

Oliver Peace stars as Tom, with Timothy West as Charles Kingsley and Julia McKenzie as Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby and Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid. Dramatised by Berlie Doherty. The wonder and excitement of much-loved children's classics lives on in BBC Radio's acclaimed full-cast dramatisations, complete with evocative music and sound effects.

©2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Classics Literature & Fiction Music & Performing Arts Adaptation Fantasy

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All stars
Most relevant  
Absolutely fabulous! Never had the opportunity to read this as a
child . I shall have my two grandchildren listen with me Thank you !

The Water Babies

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A good moral story for children. An old piece from the old fashioned era & still stands today.

Nice Children’s Story

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Would you consider the audio edition of The Water Babies (BBC Children's Classics) to be better than the print version?

I tried reading the print version of the book, but found it hard going at times. Berlie Doherty did a great job making the story much more easy to understand, and many long winded parts in the original book are cut out.

What did you like best about this story?

The plot moved along at a good pace, and the essential elements of the original story were all there. The lectures in the original book were removed, and the dramatization really brings out the story as a children's classic.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The acting was superb, and having the main narration performed as though by the author adds an extra dimension, rather than having a straight narrator. I also really liked the addition of Julia McKenzie, as having her doing the songs really added to the story, since there are some dramatizations where songs are cut out.

Any additional comments?

I remember hearing this broadcast in 1998, and the family made an off air recording of it. I've really enjoyed this version ever since, and was delighted to find it on audible. I remember hearing this broadcast in 1998, and the family made an off air recording of it. I've really enjoyed this version ever since, and was delighted to find it on audible. If you find this book hard to read, try the radio version, you won't regret it.

Great Dramatization of Classic Story

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Great take of the Victorian children that made Britain and how badly they were treated

Amazing

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A plesent surprise to a classic book, has been on my reading list for ages... But so much better to listen to it.

Suprised

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I downloaded this in a fit of nostalgia as I used to have the exact same recording on cassette as a child and absolutely loved it. It made for very different listening now I’m in my 30s! The Water Babies is a Victorian moral tale in the guise of a fairy tale. This adaptation is wonderfully magical for children who believe in fairies and has some of Kingsley’s poems set to tunes that have stayed with me since I was eight. Listening as an adult made me realise how dark and overtly Christian the plot is. The didacticism will go straight over the heads of young children who believe in the world of fairies, but parents will get something completely different from it!

Childhood Favourite

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