To my Name-Child

Name: To my Name-Child
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

The work is a poetic address to a child, celebrating the connection between the child and the world beyond their immediate surroundings. It begins by introducing the idea that the child, named Louis, will one day read this collection of rhymes. The speaker emphasizes that the child's name has been recognized and printed in a distant city, suggesting a sense of wonder and significance attached to the child's identity. The poem reflects on the notion that while the child is still young and unaware, others are already thinking of him, creating a sense of global interconnectedness. The speaker highlights the curiosity of other children who will learn about Louis, indicating that his existence has an impact beyond his immediate environment. In the second section, the speaker encourages Louis to enjoy his childhood, to explore nature, and to engage with the world around him. The imagery of the beach, seashells, and the Pacific Ocean evokes a sense of adventure and discovery. The speaker reminds Louis that even in his play, he is part of a larger narrative, as someone far away is thinking of him. Overall, the work conveys themes of identity, connection, and the importance of childhood exploration, while also instilling a sense of pride in the child's name and existence. The tone is affectionate and reflective, inviting the child to appreciate both the present and the broader world that acknowledges him.

By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1895 · Genre: Children's Literature, Poetry, Literary Fiction · 291 words

First lines

I. Some day soon this rhyming volume, if you learn with proper speed, Little Louis Sanchez, will be given you to read.

Then shall you discover, that your name was printed down By the English printers, long before, in London town.

In the great and busy city where the East and West are met, All the little letters did the English printer set; While you thought of nothing, and were still too young to play, Foreign people thought of you in places far away.

Ay, and while you slept, a baby, over all the English lands, Other little children took the volume in their hands; Other children questioned, in their homes across the seas: Who was little Louis, won't you tell us, mother, please?

What this Textopian page supports

To my Name-Child is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, dated 1895 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Date: 1895 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Poetry, Literary Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure
Length: 291 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for To my Name-Child by Robert Louis Stevenson
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Children's Literature — The poem is addressed to a child and contains themes of discovery and imagination, making it suitable for a young audience.
Poetry — The work is written in verse, utilizing rhyme and rhythm, characteristic of poetic forms.
Literary Fiction — The text explores deeper themes of identity and connection across distances, typical of literary fiction.
Fantasy — The imaginative elements, such as the idea of children in distant lands thinking of the protagonist, lend a fantastical quality.