History of Children's Literature

By Michaelgaxiola1997

  • 1744

    1744
    John Newberry opens a bookstore in London dedicated to children's literature. While still instructing children, these texts lacked condemnation.

  • Pre-1744

    Pre-1744
    Children's literature is entirely instructional. Coercing children into proper behavior with threats of damnation.

  • 1800s

    1800s
    Children's literature in the United States is imported from England and other European countries.

  • 1851

    1851
    Nathaniel Hawthorne becomes known as the first author of American children's literature with A Wonder Book for Boys and Girls.

  • 1865/71

    1865/71
    Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland series revolutionizes children's books by serving as a form of entertainment first and foremost.

  • 1907

    1907
    The first child labor laws allowed children to start going to school, where the learned how to read. This lead publishers to realize there was a new market for children's literature, and production increased substantially.

  • 1919

    1919
    US publisher Macmillan established a department dedicated solely to children's books with Louise Bechtel Seaman as its head.

  • 1920s-30s

    1920s-30s
    Modern picture books begin to develop.

  • 1922

    1922
    The American Library Association create the John Newberry Award

  • 1922/23

    1922/23
    Two women, Helen Dean Fish and May Massee become the first children's book editors.

  • 1933

    1933
    Following May Massee's lead, other publishers started to open children's book departments.

  • 1938

    1938
    The Randolph Caldecott Award is established.
  • Period: to

    1940s-60s

    Child and adolescent literature become more and more popular.

  • 1975

    1975
    Harriet Rohmer starts Children's Book Press, publishing bilingual picture books and leading the way for increased diversity in children's literature.

  • 1988

    1988
    Phyllis Fogelman established Just Us Books, which employs several well-known African American authors and illustrators.
  • Period: to

    1999-Now

    Studies found that the amount of books representing or authored by diverse groups was still drastically low. Quality of representation is higher and there are more groups reflected, but the amount of this literature needs to greatly increase to reflect the true diversity of the US.