The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley - Illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith (1920 Hardcover Edition, Very Good Condition) | Classic Children's Literature, Vintage Book Collection, Gift for Book Lovers

Kingsley, Charles, and Jessie Willcox Smith [illus.]. Nottingham: Hodder and Stoughton, 1920. 

English, Very Good, HC, 8vo, 10" x 8 1/4", 240 pp. 

Hardcover in green cloth with gilt illustration to front panel. Slight cocking to spine, starting spine, some edgewear, minor toning and interior soiling, else tightly bound. 240 pp. Includes many green illustrations throughout and 12 tipped-in color plates by Golden Age American illustrator, Jessie Willcox Smith. Originally published in 1863 by English priest, social reformer, historian, and novelist, Charles Kingsley, the book is a wondrous tale of underwater adventure, also touching on larger themes such as Darwin's Theory of Evolution, the protection of abused children, and more. Beautiful edition of Kingsley's beloved satirical children's fantasy novel, accompanied by colorful full-page illustrations by a preeminent female illustrator.