Timeline of 19th and 20th Century Children's Literature

Fables Ancient and Modern (adapted for the use of children) by William Godwin

Jan 13, 1805

The book translates a variety of stories from the First Book of Homer's Lilan, Ovid's Metamorphoses, Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and many more into children stories. The author thought that by translating them to children he was somehow connecting English Literature with great works of the past.

Five weeks in a Balloon by Jules Verne

Jan 10, 1863

First major science fiction novel.

The Jungle Book

Sep 12, 1894

This was a popular book for girls but in 1895 the second Jungle Book was thought to appeal both sexes.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott's

Jan 12, 1903

These types of stories were often domestic and celebrated the family life for girls.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Sep 12, 1903

Encouraged boys to have adventures.

Winnie The Pooh by A. A. Milne

Jan 14, 1926

Popular picture book was create.

And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street by Dr Seuss

Jan 1, 1937

First Dr. Seuss book. Very popular in children literature later in time.

The Hobbit

Sep 21, 1937

Fantasy books became popular, later came The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 1950, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in 1997.

The Outsiders by Susan Eloise Hinton

Sep 14, 1967

Books started treating subjects like death, drugs, sex, urban crisis, discrimination, the environment, and women's liberation.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Jun 3, 1969

Picture books became very popular in Family homes.

Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling

Sep 15, 2001

Harry Potter and many more books became movies, changing the views of children and young adults. By watching the movie kids began to want to read the books or because they would watch the movie they wouldn't care about the books.

Insect Soup (bug poems) by Barry Louis Polisar

Sep 15, 2002

The International Children’s Digital Library
(ICDL) was made by the University of Maryland
which allows children to read books from different counties electronically.

Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

Oct 1, 2005

Children’s literature has improved with all the technology and authors making better quality literature and series books.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Feb 10, 2009

The need to educate children/young adults began to grow. Books that would address race and discrimination became popular.

The Fault in our Stars by John Green

Jan 1, 2012

Young adult books that represent every conceivable
genre and literary style became very popular.