Super Short Summary

The Water-Babies: A Fairy Tale for a Land-Baby by Charles Kingsley follows Tom, a young chimney sweeper who falls into a river, transforms into a "water-baby," and embarks on an educational journey focused on moral development and redemption as a good Christian boy. The novel addresses social issues such as child labor and poverty in Victorian England and introduces a range of characters who aid Tom in his journey, including other water-babies and three fairies.