The Little Coat
The story revolves around a young girl who receives a small coat from her grandmother. The coat holds sentimental value and serves as a symbol of the grandmother's love. As the girl grows older, she outgrows the coat but continues to cherish it as a reminder of her grandmother's affection.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1888 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Nostalgia · 440 words
First lines
Here's his ragged "roundabout"; Turn the pockets inside out: See; his pen-knife, lost to use, Rusted shut with apple-juice; Here, with marbles, top and string, Is his deadly "devil-sling,"
With its rubber, limp at last As the sparrows of the past!
What this Textopian page supports
The Little Coat is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1888 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1888 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Nostalgia, Sentimental, Pastoral
- Length: 440 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Little Coat by James Whitcomb Riley
- 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 The Little Coat?
- How does this short story by James Whitcomb Riley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Children's Literature — The themes and language are simple and nostalgic, appealing to a younger audience or those reminiscing about childhood.
- Nostalgia — The poem evokes a sense of longing for the past and childhood innocence.
- Sentimental — The emotional tone is tender and affectionate, focusing on memories and loss.
Tags
Children's Literature · Poetry · Nursery Rhyme · Folklore · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Short Story · Literary Fiction · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Identity · Family Dynamics