Today's vintage children's book, The Water-Babies, was written by Charles Kingsley (1819-1875) and illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith (1863-1935). Smith was a very successful artist who worked during the Golden Age of Illustration. She studied under Howard Pyle at his Brandywine School of Illustration, illustrated more than 40 books and did hundreds of magazine illustrations. Her work is very recognizable and she is known for her beautiful illustrations that capture the essence of children.
From the summary at the front of the book: The adventures of Tom, a sooty little chimney sweep with a great longing to be clean, who is stolen by fairies and turned into a water-baby.
The Water-Babies
By Charles Kingsley
Illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith
Books of Wonder
William Morrow and Company, 1997
