History of Children's Literature

  • First Children's Bookstore is opened by John Newbury in London

    Up until this shop opened children's books were made to instruct and although Newbury's books also instructed they did not threaten them with harsh punishments
  • Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

    Lewis Carroll writes first books to solely give pleasure to children and not to teach or instruct.
  • First Child Labor Laws are passed

    With more freed children they were going to school more and learning how to read.
  • MacMillan Devotes Department to Children's Books

  • John Newbery Award is established

  • Two women become first Children's Book Editors

    Helen Dean Fish in 1922 and May Massee in 1923 both did this at separate companies.
  • Horn Book Magazine is published

    This magazine was published by the Bookshop for Boys and Girls under the direction of bertha Mahony and Elinor Whitney.
  • May Massee moves to open a Children's Book Department at Viking

  • Randolph Caldecott Award is Established

  • Children's and young adults books are part of everyday life

    By this time children's and young adult books are an important part of schools, libraries, and homes.
  • Children's Book Renaissance

    With books like The Pigman or the Contender
  • Diversity in Children's Books

    Harriet Rohmer establishes Children's Book Press to focus on the publishing of bilingual books.
  • Just Us Books is Established

    This company was established solely to fight for inclusivity and diversity in children's books
  • Science Fiction begins to emerge

    With the Orbis Pictus award there comes a category for science fiction
  • Bishop finds out that only 3 to 4 percent of books relate to children of Color

  • Michael L. Printz Award emerges

    The American Library Association administers this award
  • Series Books

    With the establishment of the Geisel Award there is now room and an avenue for series books