The History of Childrens and Adolescent Literature Tina M. Herrington M.Ed. Steve Trowbridge Ed.D. Early Beginnings In 600 A.D., the Old English period, monks and other learned men wrote lesson books for children. Early Beginnings Aldhelm (640?-700AD), Bishop of Sherborne, was probably the first man to write lesson books for children. Riddles and puzzles children had to solve were written in Latin. He set the pattern for all books of instruction from that time up to 1500 AD. All books used question and answer form and were written in verse. Early Beginnings The Venerable Bede ( AD) was a teacher at a monastery school. His lessons showed more imagination. They were a spark of learning in the Dark Ages. They contained all the knowledge then known of natural science, natural history, and the study of plants and flowers and stars. Early Beginnings Egbert of York (766 AD) founded the famous school of York. Collected the works of the previous monks and books by outstanding Greek and Roman authors. Wrote a variety of lesson books, still using question and answer (dialogue) method. Early Beginnings Egbert of York (766 AD) [continued] Wrote many books on grammar. Tutored sons and daughters of the household at the court of Charlemagne (the first Holy Roman Emperor). This is also one of the earliest records of co- education. Early Beginnings Alfred the Great ( AD), King of England drove back the invasion of the Danes. He translated Latin literature into Anglo-Saxon with the help of many scholars. Early Beginnings Anselm ( AD), the Archbishop of Canterbury, wrote the first encyclopedia for children. THE EARLIEST BOOKS Books reflect the times In the earliest times, children and adults listened to the same stories 1450s Gutenburgs movable type influenced the use of books The Middle English Period Renaissance comes from the French words re, meaning again and naitre, meaning born. Hence, a rebirth. The first book published was The Bible. The Middle English Period William Caxton was the creator of the first English printer in His first publication was Aesops Fables. The Renaissance Books were too expensive to be used by children, so the Hornbook was created for them about It was the first permanent book. The Chapbook Small inexpensive pamphlets. Short romances, ballads, and popular tales such as Jack the Giant Killer, and Tom Thumb. The Renaissance After the hornbook, rhymed alphabets and primers were published for children. The Royal Primer had a letter of alphabet, followed by a familiar verse. A In Adams fall, we sinned all. The Renaissance This primer sold 5 million copies during the hundred years it was used as a text book for younger children. The Royal Primer was followed by the New England Primer, published in Boston in [Remember, the pilgrims arrived in 1620.] Puritan Times Books for children were either reprints of English publications or local writings that were even drearier. First important illustrated book for children was written by John Amos Comenius, a bishop of Moravia in Comenius believed in teaching children by visual means. Book was written in Latin and German, translated into English in 1659. Daniel Defoe Author of Robinson Crusoe, 1719 Written originally for adults Wrote the book while condemned to Newgate Prison The story is based off of Scottish sailer Alexander Selkirk Re-told many stories from French perspective One of the first writers to recognize that fairy tales have a special place in the world of children. Jonathan Swift Author of Gullivers Travels, 1726 Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child - 8th Edition Professor K.C. Boyd - August, Influences The 1700s John Newbery was a writer, publisher, and bookseller of St. Pauls Church, London. He published a series of books for children. He recognized they had special interests and tried to meet them. The 1700s Newbery also published translations from the French: Tales of Mother Goose by Charles Perrault It was considered beneath the dignity of authors to write books for children, so they were published without any name attached. The 1700s It is also believed that Perrault wrote Blue Beard, The Three Witches, The Sleeping Beauty, Puss in Boots, and Red Riding Hood. Madame de Beaumont, a lady in the kings court, wrote Beauty and the Beast. Charles Perrault Contes de ma Mere LOye (Tales of Mother Goose) Re-told many stories from French perspective One of the first writers to recognize that fairy tales have a special place in the world of children. Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child - 8th Edition Professor K.C. Boyd - August, Influences Nursery Rhymes and More Mother Goose Mary Cooper published in 1744 under the title of Tommy Thumbs Pretty Song Book. Fairy tales by Charles Perrault in Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe in Gullivers Travels by Jonathan Swift in 1726. 19 th Century Illustration Illustrators began to receive as much recognition as authors. Walter Crane Randolph Caldecott Kate Greenaway Daniel Defoe Author of Robinson Crusoe, 1719 Written originally for adults Wrote the book while condemned to Newgate Prison The story is based off of Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk Re-told many stories from French perspective One of the first writers to recognize that fairy tales have a special place in the world of children. Jonathan Swift Author of Gullivers Travels, 1726 Norton, Through the Eyes of a Child - 8th Edition Professor K.C. Boyd - August, Influences The Early 1800s In the beginning of the 1800s, childrens literature became more honestly creative. Real literary authors could write for children and not damage their reputations. The Early 1800s Jane and Ann Taylor wrote poems for children. Kate Greenaway did the illustrations. Jane wrote the famous little poem, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. The Early 1800s Charles and Mary Lamb, brother and sister, wrote to give children pleasure. They worked together (in 1807) to write a childrens version of Shakespeares plays. And Then... A period of change began in the next 50 years. Authors had a profound influence on childrens literature. Childrens literature is a relatively new kind of literature. Before 1850, books taught lessons on manners and morals. Books also contained lessons on the ideas of history and science that existed at the time. Adolescence is Born Sanford and Pinskers note: Until the nineteenth century, children labored in the fields alongside their parents. But by the time they were fifteen, they might marry and go out into the world. Industrialization and compulsory education ultimately deprived them of a role in the family work unit, leaving them in a state of suspension between childhood and adulthood. This lengthening of childhood has become even more pronounced with the increased emphasis on college today (160). Sanford and Ann Pinsker, Understanding Catcher in the Rye: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999 Adolescent Literature is born Differed from earlier works dealing with adolescents. Poorer families. Harsher settings. Colloquial Language. Attitude: kids got to see good and bad Sexual content Pessimism Dysfunctional families 1967 The Outsiders, The House of Tomorrow, Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones, Sounder, Too Bad About the Haines girl. s Less shock value More romance & less sex More optimism 4 Less stereotyping More balanced view of parents More varied look at racism