Timeline of Children's Literature

  • Newbery opened a bookstore

    John Newbery opened a bookstore in St. Paul's Churchyard, London. He purchased and sold books for children.
  • US Publishing House

    The US Publishing House Macmillian launched a department devoted to children's books.
  • Picture books

    In the 1920's and 1930's, modern picture books began to develop .
  • Newbery award

    The John Newbery award was established by the American Library Association.
  • Children's editors

    Between 1922 and 1923, Helen Dean Fish and May Massee became the first children's editors. They both worked at different company's.
  • Horn Book Magazine

    The Horn Book Magazine was published by the Bookshop for Boys and Girls in Boston.
  • May Massee

    May Massee moved up to open a children's books department at Viking.
  • Caldecott award

    The Randolph Caldecott award was established by the American library Association.
  • Children's and young adult's books

    Between the 1940's and the 1960's, children's and young adult's books became an increasingly important part of libraries, schools, homes, and publishing houses.
  • Books pertaining to girls and nontraditional roles.

    Between the 1960's and 1970's, it was difficult to find books that represented girls and women in "nontraditional roles". At that same time, young adults literature was enjoying a robust renaissance.
  • Harriet Rohmer

    Harriet Rohmer established children's book Press due to the lack of picture books that reflected diversity. Devoted to the publication of bilingual picture books that represented diversity of cultural experiences.
  • Just Us Books

    Just Us Books was founded to address the lack of diversity in the field.
  • Books relating to people of color

    Studies found that only 3 to 4 percent of children's books published through 1990 and 1992 related to people of color.
  • Result of past study; books relating to people of color

    Since the study in 1994, less than 3 percent of books published each year were by or about people of color.
  • Digital library

    The International Children's Digital Library was launched.
  • Books online

    Almost four hundred books are now available online.