# Dedication explained — The Water-Babies

> Chapter companion for The Water-Babies by Charles Kingsley.

## What happens

The author dedicates the book to his youngest son, Grenville Arthur, and invites all good little boys to read the riddle that follows, suggesting that children may understand it better than adults.

## Key lines

> To my youngest son Grenville Arthur and to all other good little boys

This book is for my youngest son, Grenville Arthur, and for every other well-behaved child.

_The dedication explicitly names the author's son and extends the audience to all good children._

> Come read me my riddle, each good little man; if you cannot read it, no grownup folk can.

Each good little boy should try to read my riddle; if you cannot understand it, no adult will be able to either.

_The riddle is presented as a challenge for children, implying they have a special insight that adults lack._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_babies_se/chapters/dedication
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_babies_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_water_babies_se/chapters