Children’s Literature is Beloved throughout History: Here’s Why
Reading Time: 2 mins
Myths, fables, and fairytales allowed adults to entertain children and establish cultural norms throughout history. Children’s literature has evolved over the ages, often stemming from stories as early as 400 BC. And the love for children’s literature grew as the trend of illustrating children’s books became popular. Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, children’s picture books began to be mass-produced and eventually produced in color, establishing an industry all its own.
Wanda Gag's Millions of Cats (1928) was one of the most successful books of this era, selling more than a million copies.
Other classic children’s picture books were published soon after: The Little Engine that Could (1930); Babar (1931); Madeline (1933); and Curious George (1941).
Themes Found In Children’s Literature
Children’s literature has blossomed into a robust genre that encompasses a variety of themes. Children typically enjoy stories that include a sense of adventure, mystery, excitement, humor, and discovery. Themes within children’s literature often demonstrate lessons of love, courage, anger, jealousy, friendship, sorrow, and family.
Here are some modern classics that demonstrate these very themes:
Charlotte’s Web - Wilbur survives because of the love and friendship of Fern and Charlotte.
Harry Potter - This series includes many themes, but the most prominent is finding the courage to face evil so that good can prevail.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid explores the reality of growing up. Greg encounters many situations that involve courage, anger, friendship, and family.
Where the Wild Things Are - The author deals with Max’s anger when he is punished and banished to his room, taking him on a trip to the magical land of the wild things.
How the Digital Age Has Enhanced Literature
There are many new formats to explore in all genres of literature that have emerged in the last 10 to 15 years. Children’s literature offers a variety of options that bring stories to life like never before. From comics and manga to audiobooks and interactive story apps — there is so much to choose from.
Digital books, online reading apps, video read-aloud, and audiobooks bring a high level of engagement to any story.
Online reading apps like Lou Adventures provide an interactive digital experience with lots of adventure built in. It immerses kids in a virtual story while sharpening their reading comprehension & fluency skills. Lou, the dog guides the child through the story and takes them on a virtual adventure. So much of what children love about books can be found in the Lou Adventures reading app. They will have so much fun they will forget they are learning and sharpening their reading skills.
To learn even more about the history of Children’s picture books, visit Books Tell You Why
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