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1Water-Babies

By Charles Kingsley

<i>The Water-Babies, A Fairy Tale for a Land Baby</i> is a novel by the Reverend Charles Kingsley, first published in its entirety in 1863. Though some of the author's opinions are very dated now, the journey of a little chimney-sweep water-baby through rivers and storms, under sea and over iceberg, is still a classic, wonderful children's adventure.<br /><br />Summary by Cori Samuel. Music from Berlioz's <i>Roman Carnival Overture</i> at <a href="http://www.musopen.com/view.php?type=piece&id=195">musopen.org</a>

2Heroes, or Greek Fairy Tales for my Children

By Charles Kingsley

The Heroes, or Greek Fairy Tales for my Children by Charles Kingsley is a collection of three Greek mythology stories: Perseus, The Argonauts, and Theseus. The author had a great fondness for Greek fairy tales and believed the adventures of the characters would inspire children to achieve higher goals with integrity.

3Travels in West Africa

By Mary H. Kingsley

Mary Henrietta Kingsley (13 October 1862 – 3 June 1900) was an British explorer and writer who greatly influenced European ideas about Africa and its people. Kingsley was an outspoken critic of European colonialism, a champion for indigenous customs, and a dedicated campaigner for a revised British policy which supported traders and merchants over the needs of settlers and missionaries.<br /><br />Her adventures were extraordinary and fascinating. Among other things she fought with crocodiles, fell into native spear traps and was caught in a tornado on the slopes of Mount Cameroon. She traveled in West Africa wearing the same clothes she always wore in England: long, black, trailing skirts, tight waists, high collars and a small fur cap. These same clothes saved her life when she fell into a game pit, the many petticoats protecting her from being impaled on the stakes below.<br /><br />This is her story in her own words of her adventures and the people and culture of West Africa. (Summary by Kehinde)

4Hypatia

By Charles Kingsley

Charles Kingsley (June 12 1819 - January 23 1875) was an English divine, university professor, historian, and novelist, particularly associated with the West Country and north-east Hampshire. As a novelist, his chief power lay in his descriptive faculties, which are evident in this novel as he pictures the Egyptian desert and the ancient city Alexandria. <br/><br/>Hypatia, 1st published in 1853, is set in 5th Century A.D. Egypt. It centers upon a young orphan monk from a desert monastery who feels called to continue his religious life in the city. He discovers a sister, who is a prostitute living with a band of Goths. Other characters include Hypatia, a lady philosopher based on a historical personage; Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria; Felix, the Roman prefect; a Jewish man who has lost his faith; and an elderly Jewish woman who is like a sorceress. St. Augustine of Hippo makes a brief appearance. (Summary from Wikipedia with additions by Karen Merline)

5Madam How and Lady Why

By Charles Kingsley

Did you ever wish you knew how to explain natural phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanoes to your children? Search no more, this book has all the answers (at least all the ones that were known in 1869) and gives them in a pedagogical way. Listed on the Ambleside homeschooling list. (Summary by Nadine)

6And So They Were Married

By Florence Morse Kingsley

This is the story of Elizabeth North, a young woman who becomes engaged and with the aid of a social climbing friend begins to plan her wedding beyond what she can afford. Her friend Evelyn Tripp convinces Elizabeth that she “simply can’t afford” not to live a fashionable and expensive lifestyle. However, her husband and her grandma help her to see sense and pull herself out of the debt she has got herself into. (Summary by Michele Eaton)

Titus: A Comrade of the cross is a book full of suspense and drama, but more importantly truth. It is about Titus, a young man living in the time of Christ. He is a part of the lowest class of society, his father is a thief, and Titus' brother, whom He is very attached to, is a cripple. Titus and his brother, Stephen, abhor the life of their father, yet Titus has no choice but to join him and the rest of the group of law breakers and thieves occasionally. He yearns for something better. One day he hears of Jesus. Titus and Stephen learn more about him, as they hear and see more of Jesus and his disciples, they have some very difficult choices to make. Along the way Titus meets Barabbas, Jesus Mother, Mary, and has some incredible experiences. This story takes you not only to the very foot of the cross, but to the three crosses themselves. The ending is very unexpected, and may seem rather sad, but it does not leave you depressed, rather, full of joy and hope! (Summary by Tiffany)

8Stephen: A Soldier of the Cross

By Florence Morse Kingsley

This is a unique sequel to the book <a href="https://librivox.org/titus-a-comrade-of-the-cross-by-florence-morse-kingsley/"><i>Titus: A Comrade of the Cross</i></a> written in a very different style, though none the less memorable, full of excitement and suspense! The author combines several stories together with great skill and ease, creating tension, making you wonder how things can play out until the very climax is reached. A blind girl and her brother just barely surviving in Egypt, threatened by the slave trade, almost without hope, one day hear about miracles happening in Jerusalem. They fly for their lives, hoping against hope and when they finally get there they find themselves at the foot of the cross. Is it too late? Was all their suffering for nothing? (Summary by Fiddlesticks)

This is an exciting sequel to the earlier books <a href="https://librivox.org/titus-a-comrade-of-the-cross-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" rel="nofollow"><i>Titus: A Comrade of the Cross</i></a> and <a href="https://librivox.org/stephen-a-soldier-of-the-cross-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" rel="nofollow"><i>Stephen: A Soldier of the Cross</i></a>. It tells the story of the apostle Paul, from his conversion through his imprisonment. (Rachel)

10Andromeda, and Other Poems

By Charles Kingsley

This is a collection of the most famous poems of Charles Kingsley. Kingsley was an extremely versatile man, Wikipedia lists him as "broad church priest of the Church of England, a university professor, social reformer, historian and novelist. He is particularly associated with Christian socialism, the working men's college, and forming labour cooperatives that failed but led to the working reforms of the progressive era. He was a friend and correspondent with Charles Darwin." All those varied interests and backgrounds are reflected in his poetry, which is as versatile as the author himself. - Summary by Carolin

What would happen if someone really believed that "Ask and you shall receive"? Amusing observations on the impact on the life of mild-mannered spinster Miss Philura and her acquaintances in their small American township after she attends a rousing lecture. -- anneflebari<br /><br /> Books in the series:<br /> 1 - <a href="https://librivox.org/the-transfiguration-of-miss-philura-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">The Transfiguration of Miss Philura</a> <br /> 2 - <a href="https://librivox.org/miss-philuras-wedding-gown-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">Miss Philura's Wedding Gown</a> <br /> 3 - <a href="https://librivox.org/the-heart-of-philura-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">The Heart of Philura</a> <br /> 4 - <a href="https://librivox.org/neighbors-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">Neighbors</a>

Follow-up to "The Transfiguration of Miss Philura"....will the conviction of mild-mannered Miss Philura that "Ask and you have already received" be proved right or will her hopes be dashed, and the disapproving judgement of her fellow parishioners and neighbours be vindicated instead? Witty and gently critical observations on life in a small American township, particulary its female population, and the stirrings of change at the turn of the century. Summary by Anne F.<br><br> Books in the series:<br> 1 - <a href="https://librivox.org/the-transfiguration-of-miss-philura-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">The Transfiguration of Miss Philura</a> <br> 2 - <a href="https://librivox.org/miss-philuras-wedding-gown-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">Miss Philura's Wedding Gown</a> <br> 3 - <a href="https://librivox.org/the-heart-of-philura-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">The Heart of Philura</a> <br> 4 - <a href="https://librivox.org/neighbors-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">Neighbors</a>

13Tor, A Street Boy of Jerusalem

By Florence Morse Kingsley

Tor is a young beggar living in the city of Jerusalem during the tumultuous time of the Roman occupation. Shouts of hope are the last thing this street boy expects when he witnesses Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. Tor comes face to face with the man Jesus and from that moment his life is forever changed. With thievery, injustice, and brutality as the backdrop of this novel, Tor learns to trade his hatred for love, and what it means to be a follower of Christ. This novel is for ages eight and up. (Patrick Saville)

Once again Mrs Kingsley does not shy away from the highs and lows of life in the quickly changing world of the 1900s…the ageing women working to support themselves or their families, in jobs that will soon disappear...the washerwoman, butter-woman and the little dressmaker….the contrast between the socialite of Boston and the drudge in the kitchen….the old farmers and the independent, college-educated young people…and, with an acceptance of the realities of life we might think of as “modern”, the impact of an illegitimate child on the lives of its mother and her whole family. In her new role as the ministers wife, Miss Philura’s independent (dare one say rebellious?) spirit continues to blossom, while deep in her heart there is a secret longing waiting to be realised….The arrival of a mysterious new family in the village will have unexpected consequences for the lives of several people in Innesfield; fortunately the heart of Philura is big enough and brave enough to embrace it all. (Anne F ) <br><br> Books in the series:<br> 1 - <a href="https://librivox.org/the-transfiguration-of-miss-philura-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">The Transfiguration of Miss Philura</a> <br> 2 - <a href="https://librivox.org/miss-philuras-wedding-gown-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">Miss Philura's Wedding Gown</a> <br> 3 - <a href="https://librivox.org/the-heart-of-philura-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">The Heart of Philura</a> <br> 4 - <a href="https://librivox.org/neighbors-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">Neighbors</a>

The final story featuring the inhabitants of the growing township of Innisfield: Mrs Philura Pettibone’s story reaches its long-awaited conclusion and Miss Malvina’s life is changed forever by the arrival of various ”fur’ners”. Published in 1917, with America’s entry into the war in Europe imminent, the story dwells on friendships, the melting- pot of nationalities that make up the USA, and the personal struggle between pacifism and patriotism in wartime. While the writing keeps its gently ironic style for most of the time, it also features more serious and sometimes rather melodramatic themes. - Summary by Anne Fletcher<br><br> Books in the series:<br> 1 - <a href="https://librivox.org/the-transfiguration-of-miss-philura-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">The Transfiguration of Miss Philura</a> <br> 2 - <a href="https://librivox.org/miss-philuras-wedding-gown-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">Miss Philura's Wedding Gown</a> <br> 3 - <a href="https://librivox.org/the-heart-of-philura-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">The Heart of Philura</a> <br> 4 - <a href="https://librivox.org/neighbors-by-florence-morse-kingsley/" target="_blank">Neighbors</a>

Los Bebes Acuáticos: un cuento de Hadas para un bebe terrestre, es una novela para niños escrita por el Reverendo Charles Kingsley. Es controversial ya que está teñido de pensamientos arcaicos, discriminadores a veces, y con algunas metáforas que pueden considerarse ofensivas hoy en día. Publicada dos años antes que Alicia en el País de las Maravillas, Los niños del agua se ha confundido a menudo con un relato meramente infantil aunque, al igual que la novela de Lewis Carroll, supera con creces cualquier barrera de edad.<br><br> Adaptada al cine por Walt Disney en 1935, narra la historia de Tom, un deshollinador de 10 años, explotado cruelmente por su amo Grimes, que cae por la chimenea de una casa de campo a donde ha sido llevado a trabajar. El accidente provoca un enorme revuelo y Tom huye hacia un estanque en el que, aparentemente, se ahoga. Pero no muere y se transforma en un niño del agua, que deberá madurar con la ayuda de las hadas y las criaturas marinas hasta convertirse en un nuevo ser más libre y responsable. (Phileas Fogg)

17Christmas Carol

By Charles Kingsley

LibriVox volunteers bring you 10 recordings of A Christmas Carol by Charles Kingsley.<br> This was the Weekly Poetry project for December 22, 2019. <br> ------<br> Charles Kingsley was a broad church priest of the Church of England, a university professor, social reformer, historian and novelist. He is particularly associated with Christian socialism, the working men's college, and forming labour cooperatives that failed but led to the working reforms of the progressive era. - Summary by Wikipedia

On the surface, Mary is the typical literary heroine: Beautiful, animated, and accomplished. She will be rich, too, when she inherits her aunt's large fortune. There is only one problem: Mary is required to marry before her twenty-third birthday or her inheritance will be forfeited... and she is already violently in love with her girlfriend, Felice. (cadastra)

19Heroes; Or, Greek Fairy Tales for my Children (Version 2)

By Charles Kingsley

This is Kingsley's masterful retelling of the Greek stories about their Heroes and in a manner suitable for children. "why have I called this book ‘The Heroes’? Because that was the name which the Hellens gave to men who were brave and skilful, and dare do more than other men. At first, I think, that was all it meant: but after a time it came to mean something more; it came to mean men who helped their country; men in those old times, when the country was half-wild, who killed fierce beasts and evil men, and drained swamps, and founded towns, and therefore after they were dead, were honoured, because they had left their country better than they found it. And we call such a man a hero in English to this day, and call it a ‘heroic’ thing to suffer pain and grief, that we may do good to our fellow-men." - Summary by the author and phil chenevert