Nobody's Child: The Adventures of Remy

Remy is found abandoned as a baby in Paris by Barberin. a stonemason whose wife welcomes the little boy lovingly. But when Remy is only eight years old, Barberin sells him to Vitalis, a traveling singer. Vitalis becomes Remy’s guide, teaching him to survive by playing the harp in market squares. He performs in villages and towns throughout France with Joli-Cœur, a monkey, and three friendly dogs named Capi, Zerbino, and Dolce.

After many adventures and trials, working as a street musician and as a miner and gardener―even spending time in prison―Remy discovers almost too late who he really is. The truth about his birth and why he had been abandoned is finally revealed, and Remy can look forward to a happy and secure future.

Nobody’s Child is a heart-warming and moving children’s classic by the French writer Hector Malot (1830-1907). First published as Sans Famille in 1878, the story has been a favorite for generations and was filmed and adapted for television many times.

This translation is by Beatrys Lockie, who worked as a Steiner Kindergarten teacher and has lectured widely on early-years education. She is a storyteller who loves telling Nobody’s Child, which has become popular in Waldorf schools.