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Period: 1450 to
Children's Hornbooks
Hornbooks were a commonplace teaching tool starting from as far back as 1450 and used through the late 19th century. The hornbook originated in England and served the function of teaching children to read, learn math or to receive religious instruction. -
The Tales of Mother Goose
The Tales of Mother Goose by Perrault, retold and published French folktales and fairytales such as Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty for the first time. This work inspired the later and more exhaustive work of the Grimm brothers in Germany. -
First Children's Book Store
John Newberry opened a
bookstore in St. Paul’s Churchyard, London, where
he published and sold books for children. -
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne is considered the author of the first American book written specifically for children, A Wonder
Book for Boys and Girls. -
Alice in Wonderland
Books intended to nurture children's imagination gain popularity with books such as Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland -
Pinocchio
American children read books from other countries, such as Carlo Collodi’s "Pinocchio," from Italy. -
Child Labor Laws
The passing of child labor laws freed more children to attend school and learn to read. -
Peter Pan by James Barrie
Barrie's "Peter Pan" is an exceptional children's book that enables children to be entertained and learn values of fairness and societal roles of the publication time. -
Macmillan Publishing
US publishing house Macmillan launched a department devoted entirely to children’s books. -
Scholastic Publishing Corp
Scholastic was founded in 1920 by Maurice R. Robinson near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to be a publisher of youth magazines. It went on to become a multinational publishing, education, and media company that publishes and distributes books, comics, and educational materials for schools, teachers, parents, children, and other educational institutions. -
John Newbery Award
The American Library Association established the Newbery Award. Named after eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery, it is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. -
"The Velveteen Rabbit"
The Velveteen Rabbit is a story about finding self-worth and acceptance through love. -
Viking Children's Books
Viking Children's Books was founded in 1933 as a department of the prestigious Viking Press. -
Caldecott Medal
The first Caldecott Medal awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American Picture Book for Children published in the United States during the preceding year. -
Charlotte's Web
E.B. White's novel Charlotte's Web was published, depicting a toughing story about friendship and sacrifice. -
A Wrinkle in Time
Madeleine L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time" is praised for empowering young female readers. Critics have celebrated L'Engle's depiction of Meg Murry, a young, precocious heroine whose curiosity and intellect help save the world from evil. -
Diversity in Children's Literature
Harriet Rohmer established Children’s Book Press, devoted to the publication of bilingual picture books that reflected a diversity of cultural experiences. -
Orbis Pictus Award
The Orbis Pictus Award was established in 1989 to promote and recognize excellence in the writing of nonfiction for children. -
Harry Potter
The first Harry Potter book, by J.K. Rowling, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," was published and achieved immediate popular and critical acclaim. Six further best-selling books, three companion books, a playscript and two screenplays have since followed. -
Sibert Informational Book Medal
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States in English during the preceding year. The award is named in honor of Robert F. Sibert, the long-time President of Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc. of Jacksonville, Illinois. -
Hunger Games
Suzanne Collings writes the first book of "The Hunger Games" series; a classic novel of good triumphing over evil.