Children's Literature Timeline

  • The Early Years

    In 1744, John Newbery opened a bookstore in St. Paul's Churchyard, London. He published and sold books for children.
  • Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

    By: Lewis Carroll
    Written to nurture children's imagination.
  • Through the Looking Glass

    By: Lewis Carroll
    Written purely to give pleasure to children.
  • Heidi

    By: Johanna Spyri published in Switzerland.
  • Pinocchio

    By: Carlo Collodi from Italy.
  • A Wonder Book for Boys and Girls

    By: Nathaniel Hawthorne
    Considered the first American book written specifically for children.
  • The Wonderful Adventures of Nils

    By: Selma Lagerlöf was published in Sweden.
  • The Twentieth Century

    In 1919, the U.S. publishing house of Macmillan developed a department geared entirely towards children's books. Louise Bechtel Seaman was appointed head of the department.
  • Modern picturebooks

    Began to develop during the 1920's and 1930's.
  • John Newbery Award

    Was established by the American Library Association.
  • Helen Dean Fish

    Became the first children's book editor by the Stokes Company in 1922.
  • May Massee

    Became the first children's book editor at Doubleday in 1923.
  • The Horn Book Magazine

    Was published by the Bookshop for Boys and Girls in Boston. It was under the guidance of Bertha Mahony and Elinor Whitney.
  • May Massee

    Massee had moved from Doubleday to opening a children's book department at Viking Press.
  • Randolph Caldecott Award

    Was established by the American Library Association.
  • Children's and Young Adults' Books

    From the 1940s through the 1960s, children's and young adults' books became an increasingly important part in libraries, schools, homes, and publishing houses.