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It wasn’t until the 18th century that books were written specifically for children. Before that, children read books intended for adults, such as Aesop’s Fables, Gulliver’s Travels, and The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe.
Children’s books grew popular in London in the mid-1700s, and included moral stories, religious hymns, didactic literature, and poetry. As children’s books boomed, their variety expanded: from alphabet books to pop-ups and movables to fantasy, adventure, and history.
Although fairytales gained popularity with Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm, they were considered inappropriate for children through most of the 19th century. Inste...
Early children’s books mostly lacked pictures, with the exception of occasional black and white woodcuts. In the mid-1800s, printing technology improved, and bold, colorful imagery gradually became as important as the text. Many children’s books had different illustrators for each printing run.
Three of the most notable children’s book artists in England at this time were Kate Greenaway, Randolph Caldecott, and Walter Crane. They created the illustrations for toy books, which featured full-page illustrations and were larger than regular books.
Popular children's stories have tended to evolve over time – for example, there are multiple versions of well-known stories such as Cinderella. Some notable (and collectible) children’s book authors include Lewis Carroll, A. A. Milne, Frank Baum, Hannah More, John Harris, Juliana Horatia Ewing, Edward Lear, Beatrix Potter, and William Darton.
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by Interviews & Articles
Dr. Seuss, the Mad Hatter: A Peek Inside His Secret Closet
Dr. Seuss had a unique remedy for writer's block. When the late author, the alter ego of Theodor Seuss Geisel, was penning his bel… [more]
Raggedy Ann: The Books Behind the Doll
"Fairyland must be filled with rag dolls, soft loppy rag dolls who go through all the beautiful adventures found there, nestling i… [more]
Rita Smith on the Story of Children’s Books
I started working as the curator of the Baldwin Library of Historical Children's Literature in 1994, but I’d worked with the mater… [more]
When the Wild Imagination of Dr. Seuss Fueled Big Oil
Ever had an encounter with a Zero-doccus, a Karbo-nockus, a Moto-raspus, or a Moto-munchus? These fantastical creatures are some o… [more]
Go on a Raucous Ride With 'The Slant Book'
“This uphill work is slow, indeed, But down the slant – ah! note the speed!” I discovered “The Slant Book” in a pile with hund… [more]
A Party for Edward Gorey and the Edwardians
One thing I've learned after living in the San Francisco Bay Area nearly 13 years, people here love an excuse to dress up—particul… [more]
To Catch A Thief: A Rare Book Expert on His Literary Obsessions
I don’t remember a time when I didn’t read books. In grade school, I devoured library books. I also loved comic books, and was whe… [more]
The Last Word on First Editions
Strictly speaking, a book’s edition refers to the setting of the text. So the first time you set the text and print a book with it… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
Vintage Kids' Books My Kid Loves
This great blog, by an anonymous mom in Texas, is an ongoing bibliography of hundreds of vintage childrens books, c… [read review or visit site]
Baldwin Library of Childrens Literature
If you’re interested in collectible childrens books, check out this special digital collection from the Universit… [read review or visit site]
Google Book Search
Want to do one quick search and pull up the mother lode of vintage books? Try Google Book Search, a database filled… [read review or visit site]
Bookscans.com
Bruce Black's gallery of paperback book covers from the 1940s and 50s. With help from numerous contributors, he's a… [read review or visit site]
Clubs & Associations: Books
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