History of Children's Literature

  • Children's Bookstore

    In 1744, John Newbery opened a
    bookstore in St. Paul’s Churchyard, London, where
    he published and sold books for children
  • 1st American Book for Children

    Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote the first American book written specifically for children, A Wonder
    Book for Boys and Girls
  • Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is published

    Lewis Carroll publishes Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, one of the first books written purely for children’s pleasure.
  • First child labor laws passed

  • Macmillan publishing house launches department

    US publishing house Macmillan launched a department devoted entirely to children’s books.
  • First women editors

    Helen Dean Fish and May Massee, became the first
    children’s books editors.
  • Randolph Caldecott Medal is established

    The Randolph Caldecott Medal is established to recognize excellence in picture book illustration.
  • Children's books expand

    Children’s and young adults’ books became an increasingly important part of libraries, schools, homes, and publishing houses.
  • Children’s Book Press is established

    Harriet Rohmer establishes Children’s Book Press, the first publisher devoted to bilingual, multicultural picture books.
  • Orbis Pictus Award is established

    The Orbis Pictus Award is established by the National Council of Teachers of English to honor outstanding nonfiction for children.
  • Michael L. Printz Award is established

    The Michael L. Printz Award is established to recognize excellence in young adult literature.