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J. Newbery Opens Bookstore
In London, John Newbery opened a bookstore where he not only sold books for children, but also published them. His books were about teaching children proper behavior like most books were in those days. The difference was his books did not follow with threats if they didn't behave. -
First American Children's Book
Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote a children's book titled, A Wonder Book for Boys and Girls. Hawthorne's book is considered the first American book that was written for children. Most children's books came from England. -
Different Genre Emerging
While most books that came from England had lessons and morals taught, new books from author's like Lewis Carroll were emerging. Carroll wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, which was written for children's pleasure only. Later on in 1977 Carroll also wrote Though the Looking Glass -
Children Go To School
When child labor laws started to pass in 1907, more children were allowed to attend school. There was free public school for grades 1st through 8th grade. With more kids learning how to read and write, their selection of books began to increase. Children were starting to gain more access as libraries started to open too. There started to be a profit for children's literature. -
Macmillan Adds New Department
Macmillan is a US publishing house and in 1919 they added a new department that was just for children's books. Louise Bechtel Seaman became the department head. -
John Newbery Award
The American Library Association established the John Newbery Award. They give this award is given to authors who they feel make a distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The first award went to Hendrick Willem can Loon (Liveright) for The Story of Mankind. -
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Women Editors
Helen Dean Fish and May Massee, two women, became the first children's books editors. They did not work for the same company. -
May Massee Starts a Movement
May Massee opened a children's book department at Viking. This caused a ripple affect as more children's book departments began opening by other publishers. This then caused for children's literature to take off into the 20th century. -
Randolph Caldecott Award
After the John Newbery award was created, the Randolph Caldecott Award was established. This award goes to the best illustrated children's book every year. The first award went to Helen Dean Fish (Stokes) for Animals of the Bible, A Picture Book. -
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1960s and 1980s
Very few children's books published showed diversity. -
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1960s-1970s
Books represented females in only "traditional" roles. By the end of the 20th century this began to change to show females in less traditional roles. Even subjects like social class began to change too. Diversity in young adult books began to emerge through author's like S.E. Hinton, Paul Zindel, and Robert Lipsyte. -
Ashley Bryan
Ashley Bryan was the first African American to not only write a children's book, but illustrate it too. -
Children's Book Press established
Harriet Rohmer was bothered with picture books because of their lack of diversity, so she established the Children's Book Press. It focused on the diversity of other cultures and made bilingual picture books. -
Just Us Books Founded
This was another press company that established due to the lack of diversity in children's books. Phyllis Fogelman, who was an editor, encouraged and supported African American authors and illustrators. -
OrbisPictus Award
Non-fiction writing didn't get a lot of attention until the end of the 20th century. The OrbisPictus Award was established by the National Council of Teachers of English. The first award went to Jean Fritz (Putnam) for The Great Little Madison. -
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1990-1992
Only 3-4% published children's books related to people of color. -
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1999-2003
Less than 3% of books published each year were by or about people of color. -
Michael L. Printz Award
The American Library creates the Michael L. Printz Award. This award is given annually for the best book written for teens on its literary merit. The first award went to Walter Dean Myers for Monster. -
Robert F. Sibert Award
The American Library Association established the Robert F. Sibert
Award for the best informational book. The first winner of this award was Marc Aronson for Sir Walter Ralegh and the Quest for El Dorado.
