History of Children's Literature

  • First Children's Bookstore opens in St. Paul Churchyard, London

    Owner John Newbury Publishes and sales literature that focuses mostly on teaching children appropriate behavior.
  • First American book for children

    A Wonder Book for Boys and Girls by Nathaniel Hawthorne is written
  • Alice's Adventure in Wonderland reprints in english

    Author Lewis Carrol also wrote Through The Looking Glass for children to enjoy and encourage imagination.
  • Release of Heidi

    Heidi was written by Johanna Spyri in Switzerland
  • Release of Pinocchio

    Pinocchio was written by Carlo Collodi of Italy.
  • The Wonderful Adventures of Nils

    The Wonderful Adventures of Nils was written by Selma Lagerlof of Sweden
  • Child Labor Laws passed

    With child labor laws in place more children were attending school.
  • Children's Picture books

    The start of children's picture books began
  • John Newbury Award

    The John Newbury Award was created by the American Library Association
  • First Children's book editors

    Helen Fisher and May Masse, both women, become the first children book editors.
  • Horn Book Magazine

    The Bookshop for Boys and Girls in Boston published Horn Book Magazine for the first time.
  • Children's Book Department opens @ Viking

    May Massee advocates to open the children's book department at Viking.
  • Randolph Caldecott Award

    The first Randolph Calecott Award was produced
  • Children's Literature expands

    Children's Literature significantly expands in schools, libraries, and homes.
  • Young Adult Genre

    During the 1960s this genre began to skyrocket. S.E Hinton's, The Outsiders is a notable example of YA success.
  • Children's Book Press

    Founder Harriet Rohmer created Children's Book Press. A way to publish bilingual literature and push for diversity in representation.
  • Support of African American Authors and Illistrators

    Phyllis Fogelman, an editor, displayed remarkable support to African American artists.
  • Michael L. Printz Award

    This award was established by the American Library Association
  • Robert F Sibert Award

    This award is also handed out by American Library Association recognizing outstanding informational text