Racism and The Water-Babies

Richard finds out how a few racist passages have blighted the book’s reputation – but how Kingsley also conjured moments of mystery and veneration.

04 July 2016

3 minutes

This clip is from

The Secret Life of Books—The Secret Life of Children's Books, The Water-Babies

Awesome Authors—Books
A celebration of children's literature, centred on Roald Dahl's centenary

The book that changed the world
Duration: 01:34
Where The Water-Babies were born
Duration: 02:08

The book that changed the world—The Secret Life of Children's Books, The Water-Babies
Duration: 01:34
Where The Water-Babies were born—The Secret Life of Children's Books, The Water-Babies
Duration: 02:08
The place of inspiration for Five Children and It perhaps?—The Secret Life of Children's Books, Five Children and It
Duration: 00:53
A complicated love triangle—The Secret Life of Children's Books, Five Children and It
Duration: 01:27