The Child Reader, 1700–1840

by M.O. Grenby

Children's literature, as we know it today, first came into existence in Britain in the eighteenth century. This is the first major study to consider who the first users of this new product were, which titles they owned, how they acquired and used their books, and what they thought of them. Evidence of these things is scarce. But by drawing on a diverse array of sources, including inscriptions and marginalia, letters and diaries, inventories and parish records, and portraits and pedagogical treatises, and by pioneering exciting new methodologies, it has been possible to reconstruct both sociological profiles of consumers and the often touching experiences of individual children. Grenby's discoveries about the owners of children's books, and their use, abuse and perception of this new product, will be key to understanding how children's literature was able to become established as a distinct and flourishing element of print culture.

338 pages, Hardcover

First published March 28, 2011

About the author

Matthew Orville Grenby - Reader in Children's Literature at Newcastle University.

Reviews

[Rapidreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched on an interesting subject, but a pretty tough read. Very academic (social sciences) with disengaged prose.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

My advice -- don't bother with the heavy lifting (and this book is heavy) -- read a professional review and you'll get everything you need from/about it. I can't imagine very many people in the world _need_ to read this.