The Origin of Children’s Books

Long before children’s books filled colorful shelves, stories for young readers were whispered around fires, sung in lullabies, and passed down through generations. In the 17th and 18th centuries, books for children were mostly moral guides — lessons on good behavior wrapped in simple tales. But then, something extraordinary happened. Visionaries like John Newbery in the 1700s imagined a world where books could delight as much as they teach. His A Little Pretty Pocket-Book became one of the first books made just for children, blending play, learning, and imagination — and from that spark, an entire genre was born.

As printing spread and literacy grew, stories began to bloom beyond lessons. The 19th century brought the magic of fairy tales, adventures, and fantasy — think Grimm, Andersen, Carroll. They transformed reading from duty to discovery, giving children portals to worlds filled with wonder, courage, and curiosity. From moral fables to magical lands, the children’s book has evolved into what it is today: a mirror to young minds and a window to infinite imagination