John Newbery facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Newbery
Born	9 July 1713 Waltham St Lawrence, Berkshire, England
Died	22 December 1767(1767-12-22) (aged 54) Canonbury House, Islington, London, England
Resting place	Waltham Saint Lawrence
Occupation	Publisher
Language	English
Genre	Children's Literature
Notable works	The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes
Spouse	Jordan Mary Carnan ​ (m. 1739)​
Children	6
Relatives	Elizabeth Anne Le Noir (adoptive granddaughter)

John Newbery (born July 9, 1713 – died December 22, 1767) was an English publisher. He is often called "The Father of Children's Literature." Newbery was the first to make children's books a successful and profitable business.

He also helped and published books by famous writers. These included Christopher Smart, Oliver Goldsmith, and Samuel Johnson. To honor his work, the Newbery Medal was named after him in 1922. This award celebrates great books for children.

Early Life and Family

John Newbery was born in 1713 in Waltham St Lawrence, England. His father, Robert Newbery, was a farmer. John taught himself to read and write.

At age sixteen, he became an apprentice to a local printer, William Ayers. Later, the business was sold to William Carnan. When Carnan died in 1737, the business went to his brother, Charles Carnan, and John Newbery.

In 1739, Newbery married William Carnan's widow, Jordan Mary. He adopted her three children: John, Thomas, and Anna-Maria. John and Mary also had three children together: Mary (born 1740), John (born 1741, died at age 11), and Francis (born 1743).

Starting a Publishing Business

By 1740, Newbery had started his own publishing company in Reading. He first published books for adults. But he soon became interested in making books for children.

In 1743, Newbery moved to London. He opened a new shop there. He left his stepson, John Carnan, in charge of the Reading business.

First Children's Book

Newbery's first children's book was A Little Pretty Pocket-Book. It came out on July 18, 1744. This book was the start of his very successful line of children's books.

The book cost six pence. For two extra pence, you could get a small red and black ball or a pincushion. Newbery believed that playing was a better way to encourage good behavior than punishment. Children would put a pin in the red side for good behavior or the black side for bad.

A Little Pretty Pocket-Book was very popular. It promised to "infallibly make Tommy a good boy and Polly a good girl." The book had poems, wise sayings, and an alphabet song. It was small and had a bright cover, which was new for children's books. These early books were like "gift books" and led to the "toy books" of the 1800s.

New Ideas in Publishing

Newbery used smart ideas from other publishers. He bound his books in colorful Dutch floral paper. He also advertised his other books and products inside the stories he published.

These improvements made children's books better quality. He also published many different topics. This helped Newbery become the top children's book publisher of his time.

In 1745, Newbery moved his company to a better location in London. It was called the Bible and Sun. He kept publishing books for both adults and children. His business did so well that he eventually sold his Reading company. His success even allowed his son Francis to go to both Cambridge and Oxford Universities.

One expert, Jan Susina, said that Newbery was a genius. He created a new type of product: children's books. He advertised them often and cleverly put ads for other books and products right into his stories.

Popular Children's Books

About one-fifth of the 500 books Newbery published were for children. These included ABC books, children's novels, and children's magazines. He published his own stories and books by authors like Samuel Johnson and Oliver Goldsmith.

Many experts think Goldsmith or Giles and Griffith Jones wrote The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes. This was Newbery's most popular book. It was printed 29 times between 1765 and 1800.

Newbery also published a series of popular books by "Tom Telescope." These books explained new science ideas through lectures given by a boy. The most famous was The Newtonian System of Philosophy Adapted to the Capacities of Young Gentlemen and Ladies.

John Newbery passed away on December 22, 1767, in Islington, London. He is buried in his hometown of Waltham Saint Lawrence.

Helping Writers and Friends

Newbery's success came from his publishing business. He also earned money from selling a special medicine called Dr. Robert James's Fever Powder. He advertised this medicine in his books. For example, in Goody Two-Shoes, the heroine's father dies because he couldn't get the Fever Powder.

Newbery used his money to help writers who were having financial problems. He helped Samuel Johnson, who called him "Jack Whirler" because he was always busy. He also helped Oliver Goldsmith, who wrote about Newbery in his book The Vicar of Wakefield. Goldsmith described him as "the friend of all mankind."

Newbery's Story Themes

The philosopher John Locke suggested that children could learn letters through games. He also thought picture books would be good for kids. Locke believed children should be seen as "reasoning beings." Newbery put these ideas into practice.

A Pretty Little Pocket-Book was a mix of information and games. It had riddles and advice on healthy eating. Its main message was: "learn your lessons... and one day you will ride in a coach and six." Newbery's stories showed that hard work is always rewarded.

Today, Newbery's stories might seem a bit like lessons. But children in the 1700s and 1800s loved them. His tales often featured a good orphan who worked hard. This orphan would then become successful. The stories showed how "good" and "bad" behavior led to rewards or punishments.

Newbery's Lasting Impact

After John Newbery died, his son Francis, his stepson Thomas Carnan, and his nephew Francis continued the business. Later, his nephew's wife, Elizabeth, took over. She ran the company successfully for 22 years. In 1802, she sold the business to John Harris.

In 1922, the John Newbery Medal was created by the American Library Association. This important award is given every year. It honors the "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children."

Popular Newbery Books

Here are some of the popular books John Newbery wrote, helped write, or influenced:

• Mother Goose's Melody
• A Little Pretty Pocket-Book (1744)
• The Newtonian System of Philosophy (1761)
• The Renowned History of Giles Gingerbread (1764)
• The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes (1765)
• The entertaining history of Tommy Gingerbread: a little boy, who lived upon learning