Lesson 2 HISTORY OF CHILDREN’S

LITERATURE ABC Books

The elders' stories were passed
In the 16th century, a book of
down from generation to
private devotions in the Angelican
generation orally. And the
Church appeared. It included the
stories were all about the
alphabet as well as Christian
adventures of the forefathers
teachings.
and animals. Anglo-Saxon Period
The Medieval Period
Aldhelm (640–709) was the first
person to write a lesson book
By 1430, England had a plethora
for children. His De Septenrio,
of books on manners and
de Metris, Enigmatibus,ac
morality, one of which being
Pedum comprised riddles and
William Caxton's Boke of
puzzles for youngsters to solve.
Curtayse, published in 1477.

Puritan Period
Hornbook
Books were influenced by Puritan ideas, which are
about fear of God, religious instruction, and At the end of the 16th century, a book
preparing for death. These books were actually for sized 3 by 4 ½ inches and 2 inches wide
adults. Between 1683 and 1691, a small book of was covered with a transparent horn
100 pages named "New England Primer" was called a "hornbook." It was designed for
made for children of the American Colonies. It Chapbooks children to handle. It could be hung
consisted of letters, words, and syllables for
around their necks.
spelling lessons, the Lord's prayer, catechism,
Single sheets of paper printed on one
hymns, verses, and rhymes for each letter of the
side only, called broadsides, contained
alphabet.
ballads of Robin Hood. It was called
"chapbooks" because it was sold by
intinerant peddlers called "chapmen."
Charles Perault published his collection
of tales entitled "Comtes de Ma Mere
L'Oye," or Tales of My Mother Goose.
 John Newberry Era
st
1 Picture Book
Newberry only published children's books.He
was called the father of children's literature
In 1658, Johann Amos Comenius, bishop of
because he wrote books for enjoyment and
Moravia, invented the first school book known as
entertainment. He published Little Pretty
Orbis Sensualum/Orbis Pictus (The World in
Pocket Book as the first book called a
Pictures). It was written in Latin and German and
children's book. And he also published
later translated into English by Charles Hooke in
Mother Goose Melody, a collection of
1664.
nursery rhymes.

The Didactic Period

17th century and 18th century
Jean-Jacques Rousseau started a new
Books were all about religion and morals philosophy in the education of children.
due to the rise of Protestantism. Dr. Isaac Emile is a book of philosophy that talks
Watts is known as the starting point in the about freedom to develop a child's
history of children's literature, where natural interests and learn from actual
"cradle hymn" was the first children's experience. Thomas Day was another
poem. When Battledore appeared, it was writer in this period who wrote the
folded like a pocketbook, and it had an history of Sanford and Merton.
alphabet and easy-reading matter that
made it popular until 1840.

The Return of Fairytales Old and New

Realistic Literation
The stories were all about boys and girls in simple home
situations; stories of adventure; brave men and women;
history and growth of countries; the wonders of nature
and science. Louisa M. Alcott's Little Women in 1868 and
Little Men were the best examples of realistic stories.  of them. The importance of laughter in children's growth was
In 1823, Willelm Grimm collected the old German stories to
record them scientifically for posterity and translated them
into English in 1823, calling them Grimm's Popular. Hans
Christian Anderson, the great master of the literary fairytale,
published fairytale stories in 1846, and Thumbelina was one
highlighted in Edward Lear's Book of Nonsense. Lewis Carroll
made up stories for a little girl named Alice Lindell and called
his collection of stories Alice in Wonderland.