THE HISTORY OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS Cambridge College ELM 523 Christina J. Brownell

THE EARLIEST BOOKS Books reflect the times In the earliest times, children and adults listened to the same stories 1450s Gutenburg’s movable type influenced the use of books

Books reflect the times

In the earliest times, children and adults listened to the same stories

1450s Gutenburg’s movable type influenced the use of books

1400’s In the 1400s hornbooks were made. Small, wooden paddles with one sheet of paper attached to it. This paper was expensive and to protect it, a thin piece of cow’s horn was used to cover the paper.

In the 1400s hornbooks were made.

Small, wooden paddles with one sheet of paper attached to it.

This paper was expensive and to protect it, a thin piece of cow’s horn was used to cover the paper.

Varieties of Hornbooks The paper usually consisted of the alphabet or a religious verse or the Lord’s Prayer. Sometimes they were made of leather, silver, copper, ivory, and even gingerbread. Hornbooks served as a tool for children for over two hundred years.

The paper usually consisted of the alphabet or a religious verse or the Lord’s Prayer.

Sometimes they were made of leather, silver, copper, ivory, and even gingerbread.

Hornbooks served as a tool for children for over two hundred years.

17 th and 18 th Centuries Most printed material was meant for instruction rather than enjoyment. There were not very many books, but they stayed in print for more than 200 years. Books of this time were dominated by stern spiritual beliefs of Puritanism. Children were expected to memorize John Cotton’s Catechism, stressing the salvation of their souls.

Most printed material was meant for instruction rather than enjoyment.

There were not very many books, but they stayed in print for more than 200 years.

Books of this time were dominated by stern spiritual beliefs of Puritanism.

Children were expected to memorize John Cotton’s Catechism, stressing the salvation of their souls.

The Chapbook Small inexpensive pamphlets. Short romances, ballads, and popular tales such as Jack the Giant Killer, and Tom Thumb. Sold by peddlers.

Small inexpensive pamphlets.

Short romances, ballads, and popular tales such as Jack the Giant Killer, and Tom Thumb.

Sold by peddlers.

Nursery Rhymes and More… Mother Goose – Mary Cooper published in 1744 under the title of Tommy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book. Fairy tales by Charles Perrault in 1697. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe in 1719. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift in 1726.

Mother Goose – Mary Cooper published in 1744 under the title of Tommy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book.

Fairy tales by Charles Perrault in 1697.

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe in 1719.

Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift in 1726.

John Newbery Began the concept of literature for children. English publisher. Books should instruct and amuse. “ A Little Pretty Pocket Book” 1744 - an illustrated catalogue of children's amusements based on the alphabet. “ Little Goody Two Shoes” lasted for over a century.

Began the concept of literature for children.

English publisher.

Books should instruct and amuse.

“ A Little Pretty Pocket Book” 1744 - an illustrated catalogue of children's amusements based on the alphabet.

“ Little Goody Two Shoes” lasted for over a century.

Literature in the 1800s America after the Revolutionary War Folktales / Grimm’s Brothers Family Stories: Little Women, Heidi Adventure Stories: Treasure Island, Swiss Family Robinson, Tom Sawyer Science Fiction: Jules Verne Fantasy: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

America after the Revolutionary War

Folktales / Grimm’s Brothers

Family Stories: Little Women, Heidi

Adventure Stories: Treasure Island, Swiss Family Robinson, Tom Sawyer

Science Fiction: Jules Verne

Fantasy: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

19 th Century Illustration Illustrators began to receive as much recognition as authors. Walter Crane Randolph Caldecott Kate Greenaway

Illustrators began to receive as much recognition as authors.

Walter Crane

Randolph Caldecott

Kate Greenaway

20 th Century Literary and artistic quality in children’s books Growth of children’s publishing Expansion of public and school library service to children

Literary and artistic quality in children’s books

Growth of children’s publishing

Expansion of public and school library service to children

Trends Changes in marketing Changes in usage Enlightened parents Bookstores specializing in children’s books New publishers New and established authors find receptive markets Harry Potter / Stephanie Meyer

Changes in marketing

Changes in usage

Enlightened parents

Bookstores specializing in children’s books

New publishers

New and established authors find receptive markets

Harry Potter / Stephanie Meyer