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Children's Literature History Timeline

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    John Newbery Publishes Children's Books

    Opened a bookstore in London and sold books written specifically for children, marketing one of the first steps in children's publishing.
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    Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

    One of the first and most influential fantasy books for children, which inspired stories worldwide.
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    Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

    A sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
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    Heidi By Johanna Spyri

    Heidi painted a warm picture of life in the Swiss Alps. It highlighted the value of family, kindess, and nature in a child's upbringing.
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    A Wonder Book for Boys and Girls by Nathaniel Hawthorne

    The story of a puppet who wants to be a real boy became a classic everywhere. It's still one of the best known kids stories in the world.
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    Pinocchio By Carlo Collodi

    This story of a puppet who learns lessons about honesty and bravery connected with readers everywhere. It set the stage for many moral driven children's books that came after.
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    The Tale of Peter Rabbit By Beatrix Potter

    This little book about a mischievous rabbit broke publishing records for children's books. Its success proved picture books could be both entertaining and profitable.
  • First Child Labor Laws

    First Child Labor Laws

    These laws meant more children had to go to school instead of working full time. With kids learning to read, the demand for children's books grew fast.
  • Newbery Medal Established

    Newbery Medal Established

    The Newbery Medal became the first award to honor outstanding children's books. It set a new standard for what counted as high quality writing for young readers.
  • The Horn Book Magazine

    The Horn Book Magazine

    This magazine gave reviews and guidance on new children's books. It quickly became a trusted resource for teachers, librarians, and parents.
  • Caldecott Medal Established

    Caldecott Medal Established

    The Caldecott Medal focused on celebrating illustrators of children's picture books. It reminded everyone that artwork is just as important as the writing in storytelling.
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    The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

    This novel introduced readers to the magical land of Narnia, where children became heroes. It shaped modern fantasy and continue to inspire films and adaptations/
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    The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Kreats

    This simple story about a boy enjoying snow broke barriers in children's literature. It was one of the first mainstream books to show a Black child as the main character.
  • Just Us Books founded

    Just Us Books founded

    This young adult book tackled themes of bullying, power, and rebellion. It proved that fantasy for older kids could be just as layered as adult novels.
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

    Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

    The first Harry Potter book created a worldwide craze for reading. Midnight releases and packed bookstores demonstrated how much kids loved getting lost in the series.