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History of Children's Literature

Children's literature has been around since the fifteenth century. It began with picture books, and progressed from short stories that recorded oral traditions to full-blown novels that contained social commentary and the retelling of myths. From there, children's literature evolved into autobiographical writing, serial novels and films.
  1. Picture Books

    • The first picture book, "Orbis Pictus," was developed by Jan Amos Komensky in 1658.

    Fairy Tales

    • In the seventeenth century, Charles Perrault wrote such classics as "Puss in Boots," "Little Red Riding Hood," "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty."

    Oral History

    • The Brothers Grimm used oral history to write fantasy stories such as "Rapunzel," "Hansel and Gretel" and "Snow White" in the nineteenth century.

    Imagination

    • In 1865, Lewis Carroll brought his imagination to life by writing down the fantasy stories he told his young friends in "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-glass." Likewise, L. Frank Baum brought his fantasy world, Oz, to life in the popular "Wizard of Oz" series.

    Mythology and Christianity

    • C.S. Lewis used mythology and Christianity to write his most famous book series, "Narnia."

    Autobiography

    • Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote a series of books detailing the events of her childhood in her famous "Little House on the Prairie" series.

    The Silver Screen

    • J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series sprang on to the silver screen in the late twentieth century, enchanting both children and adults alike.

Literature

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