Anyone remember The Water Babies?

[pugsandseals]

DD been watching a few clips from the film & started reading the book but gave up as it was slow going with very old fashioned language.
Anyone know of a more modern/easier to read version? I notice that the Kindle free version is better than Grandma's ancient edition, but still to complicated for a 10 year old! Would really like her to read it before watching the film though.
Thanks

[MoomieAndFreddie]

omg i loved this book as a child. i had the hardback version, with all the colour plate illustrations, it was beautiful. i wish i still had it.

have been thinking about getting it for oldest dc

no idea if there are any other versions though

[ISeeThreadPeople]

I have the version Moomie refers to. I read it to 5yo dd a while ago and she loved it.

[Allalonenow]

Oh yes, what a wonderful book, should be compulsory reading for all.

So many "entitled" beings might have had a different world view if they had been introduced to Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby at an early age.

Sorry I can't be any help with recent editions, I've only got the one I had as a child.

[Arcticwaffle]

We have it, and it is quite a trudge for a modern child, my dc have read quite a few classics but they stumbled over Water Babies, there are lots of odd side-lines and rambly bits. I read them some of it with the rambling bits chopped out, they enjoyed that. The basic story is great but some of it is rather odd (like the sweeps stuck in chimneys in pain unable to move, for their crimes against the chimney sweep children).

I haven't come across a better version, our old version is apparently already abridged, goodness knows what the original was like.

[Poledra]

Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby and Mrs Bedonebyasyoudid!

Don't know of an abridges version - I remember finding it quite a slog as a child but the two ladies mentioned above stuck in my mind.

[JuliaScurr]

Makes me cry

[hellymelly]

Made me cry too, I can't remember why though, as it was so long ago!

[Arcticwaffle]

It is very sad. Children die. Or are mistreated. Everyone teases Tom and runs away. He gets covered in Prickles because he has never been loved or taught how to behave, and then noone wants to play with him at all.

I was freaked as a child by Ellie dying by falling in the river, though on recent rereading it seems she doesn't end up dead, it's a bit confusing.

Lots of other sad bits too.

[pugsandseals]

Do you think I should admit defeat then & go straight for the film? I'm thinking it will support her history topic, the Victorians at school.