Little Boy Blue by Eugene Field
The poem tells the story of a young boy who dies prematurely, and his spirit returns to comfort his grieving mother. The poem explores themes of love, loss, grief, and the supernatural.
By Eugene Field · First published 1881 · Genre: Children's Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nostalgia · 272 words
First lines
The little toy dog is covered with dust, But sturdy and stanch he stands; And the little toy soldier is red with rust, And his musket molds in his hands. Time was when the little toy dog was new And the soldier was passing fair, And that was the time when our Little Boy Blue Kissed them and put them there.
"Now, don't you go till I come," he said, "And don't you make any noise! " So toddling off to his trundle-bed He dreamed of the pretty toys. And as he was dreaming, an angel song Awakened our Little Boy Blue, -- Oh, the years are many, the years are long, But the little toy friends are true.
What this Textopian page supports
Little Boy Blue is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1881 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1881 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nostalgia, Fantasy, Elegy
- Length: 272 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Little Boy Blue by Eugene Field
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Little Boy Blue?
- How does this poem by Eugene Field fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Children's Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Children's Poetry — The poem is written for children, featuring themes of childhood innocence and imagination.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal feelings and emotions, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Nostalgia — The themes reflect a longing for the past and the innocence of childhood.
- Fantasy — The presence of toys and the dreamlike quality of the narrative suggest elements of fantasy.
Tags
Poetry · Children's Literature · American Literature · 19th Century · Nostalgia · Childhood Memories · Imagination · Fantasy · Whimsy · Rhyming Verse · Illustrated · Classic