For children’s literature month, we are so happy to be diving into one of the most classic and universal genres of books. (If you’re looking to reconnect with some of your favorite childhood classics, we’ve put together a list to help you navigate which children’s books to pick up first!)
But where did children’s literature come from, and how has it evolved through time? Let’s dive into this topic which everyone has experienced in their lifetime.
The Origins of Children’s Literature
The earliest origins of children’s literature lie indubitably in oral folklore and storytelling. Although the advent of the printing press didn’t happen until the 1400s, children’s literature had its roots far before that.
Stories like Aesop’s Fables originated around the sixth century BC. These stories were short, easy-to-remember tales that were intended to impart a moral lesson to young listeners. Similar narratives could be found in cultures around the world and are also closely related to mythology.
One important distinction worth mentioning is that these early fables were for everyone, not just for children. There was little distinction between children’s and adults’ stories: which would come later, with the rise of didactic and religious literature aimed at kids in subsequent centuries.
The Golden Age of Children’s Literature
The Golden Age of children’s literature happened in the 19th century and was due in part to the Romantic movement and its celebration of childhood as a time of innocence and wonder. This era of children’s literature featured an increase of fairy tales and stories that heavily relied on imagination.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll, was first published in 1865 and signified a significant shift in children’s literature. Many scholars point to this as a turning point away from the moralistic messaging common in earlier children’s books.
That being said, fairy tales also saw a surge in popularity around this time, with works by The Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen also gaining widespread popularity. One can easily draw a clear line of ascendancy between these fairy tales and the earlier moral lessons that were orally passed down through generations.
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Finally, another subgenre of children’s books took off around this time: that of the adventure story. Works like Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island and Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer were praised and celebrated, certainly in part due to their celebration of the Victorian ideals of adventure, travel, exploration, and nature.
One common thread in many of these books is the recognition of children as independent, autonomous beings. Many of the aforementioned books feature children as protagonists, further calling back to the Romantic celebration of childlike wonder and imagination.
The Uptick In Picture Books
The increase in popularity of picture books happened in the mid-twentieth century, with authors like Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak finding mainstream success.
These children’s picture books, such as The Cat in the Hat and Where The Wild Things Are, were hugely successful. They resonated with young readers, who were enchanted by the power of visual storytelling. Picture books were also an easy way to engage young readers and encourage literacy.
Children’s picture books also afforded parents a new visual means to connect with their children, which wasn’t television and became increasingly common in the mid-twentieth century.
Around this time, the works of writers like Roald Dahl were also becoming more popular. While Dahl’s novels are less dependent on their illustrations than the aforementioned books by Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak, their iconic illustrations by Sir Quentin Blake have become famous in their own right. These whimsical drawings were a way to attract slightly older, more independent readers, and compel them to keep reading.
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Present Day
Children’s literature today reflects broader trends toward globalization: it is increasingly diverse in terms of represented identities, authors, and experiences, as well as in terms of format and genre (such as e-books, audiobooks, and interactive media).
Graphic novels have become another widely accepted format for children’s literature. The popular Dog Man graphic novel series has become such a success, for example, that it’s even been recently adapted into a video game.
While authors like Dav Pilkey and Jeff Kinney are wildly popular today, the boundaries between children’s literature and so-called “adult” literature are becoming increasingly nebulous, with some even arguing that the label of “children’s literature” is outdated and reductive.
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We’ve taken a look at children’s literature from its origins in oral folklore, to its golden age in the 19th century, to the rise of picture books, and to the present day. We’ve also discussed the prevalence of illustrated children’s stories and the rise of multimedia and interactive media forms of children’s literature.
No matter how old you are, we hope this article has helped clarify your questions about the origins of children’s literature and its evolution through time. A timeless genre, children’s books have something to offer for readers of all ages.
