Children’s Books 1850

The first section of this series (parts 1 - 11 was posted in July 2018) and featured books from between the 1850s to 1881.

These posts (parts 12 - 23) features books published between 1881 and 1904.

Until the mid-18th century, children's books mainly consisted of moralistic or enlightening stories propagating the religious and ethical view that hard work and diligence determines a person's life. Little consideration was given to children's reading pleasure.

Amid this trend, John Newbery (1713-1767), a London-based bookseller, took up full-fledged publication of books that were both "entertaining and useful" for children. A Little Pretty Pocket-book, published by Newbery in 1744, is said to be the first book that provided children with not only moral lessons but also entertainment. Newbery went on to publish numerous books for middle-class children in urban areas, whose number continued to increase. Newbery became well known in the United States as well; the most prestigious American award for children's literature is named after him - the John Newbery Medal, inaugurated in 1922.

This is part 23 of an 23 - part series on children's books 1850s - 1881:

1900 Mother Wild Goose and her Wild Beast Show by L.J. Bridgman:

Lewis Jesse Bridgman. Author and illustrator of numerous children's books.

Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, The United States 17 November 1857. Died 1931.