List of 18th-century British children's literature titles facts for kids

Have you ever wondered what kids read hundreds of years ago? In the 1700s, a special kind of book started to become popular just for children. Before this, kids often read books meant for adults, or books that were mostly about religion or lessons. But in the 18th century, authors and publishers began creating stories and poems specifically to entertain and teach young readers. This list explores some of the most important and interesting books written for British children during this exciting time.

Early 1700s: New Beginnings for Children's Books

At the start of the 18th century, books for children were often very serious. They usually taught lessons about good behavior or religion.

• A Little Book for Little Children (1702) by Thomas White: This was one of the earliest books made just for young readers.
• A Token for Children (1709) by James Janeway: This book was very popular and taught religious lessons through stories.
• Divine Songs (1715) by Isaac Watts: These were hymns and poems written to help children learn about faith in a simpler way. Many of these songs are still known today!

The Rise of Entertainment for Kids

As the century went on, books started to become more fun and entertaining, not just about lessons.

• A Description of Three Hundred Animals (1730) by Thomas Boreman: This was an early example of a non-fiction book for kids, full of interesting facts about animals.
• The Gigantick History of the Two Famous Giants (1730) by Thomas Boreman: This book showed that stories could be exciting and imaginative.
• Winter-Evening Entertainments (1737) by Nathaniel Crouch: This book offered stories and activities for kids to enjoy, especially during long winter evenings.

Mid-1700s: John Newbery and Fun Stories

A very important person in children's literature was John Newbery. He was a publisher who understood that children wanted books that were both fun and educational. He is often called the "Father of Children's Literature."

• A Little Pretty Pocket-Book (1744) published by John Newbery: This book is famous for being one of the first truly entertaining books for children. It came with a pincushion or a ball, making reading a playful experience.
• Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book (1744) by Mary Cooper: This was a collection of nursery rhymes, showing how important songs and rhymes were for young children.
• The Governess, or The Little Female Academy (1749) by Sarah Fielding: This was one of the first novels written specifically for children. It told stories about girls in a boarding school and taught them about friendship and good behavior.
• The Lilliputian magazine (1752) published by John Newbery: This was an early magazine for children, showing that kids enjoyed regular new content.
• The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes (1765) published by John Newbery: This is one of the most famous children's books from this period. It tells the story of an orphaned girl who works hard and becomes successful, teaching lessons about kindness and perseverance.

Late 1700s: More Diverse and Thoughtful Books

Towards the end of the century, authors explored different ways to teach and entertain children, often focusing on nature, morals, and real-life situations.

• The Parables of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (1768) by Christopher Smart: This book presented religious stories in a way that children could understand.
• Hymns for the Amusement of Children (1771) by Christopher Smart: More hymns designed to entertain and educate young minds.
• Lessons for Children (1778–79) by Anna Laetitia Barbauld: These books were groundbreaking! They used simple language and short sentences to teach children about everyday life and nature. They were very influential in how children's books were written.
• An Easy Introduction to the Knowledge of Nature (1780) by Sarah Trimmer: This book helped children learn about the natural world around them.
• Hymns in Prose for Children (1781) by Anna Laetitia Barbauld: Another important work by Barbauld, these hymns were written in prose (like regular sentences) rather than poetry, making them easier for children to grasp.
• Sacred Dramas (1782) by Hannah More: These were plays written for children, often with moral lessons.
• The Life and Perambulation of a Mouse (1783) by Dorothy Kilner: This story was told from the perspective of a mouse, giving children a unique way to see the world and learn about kindness to animals.
• Cobwebs to Catch Flies (1783) by Ellenor Fenn: This book used simple stories and dialogues to teach reading and morals.
• The History of Sandford and Merton (1783–89) by Thomas Day: This very popular book told the story of two boys with different upbringings, teaching lessons about hard work, honesty, and nature.
• Anecdotes of a Boarding School (1784) by Dorothy Kilner: More stories about school life, offering insights into children's experiences.
• The Female Guardian (1784) by Ellenor Fenn: This book focused on guiding young girls in their behavior and education.
• A Description of a Set of Prints of Scripture History (1786) by Sarah Trimmer: This book used pictures to help children understand stories from the Bible.
• Fabulous Histories (1786) by Sarah Trimmer: Also known as The History of the Robins, this book used animal characters to teach moral lessons, especially about kindness and family.
• The History of Little Jack (1788) by Thomas Day: Another story by Thomas Day, focusing on a boy who learns through experience.
• Original Stories from Real Life (1788) by Mary Wollstonecraft: This book offered realistic stories with moral lessons, encouraging children to think for themselves.
• Adventures of a Pincushion (1780–1783) by Mary Ann Kilner: This story was told from the point of view of a pincushion, showing different households and teaching lessons through observation.
• Evenings at Home (1794–98) by John Aikin and Anna Laetitia Barbauld: This collection of stories, poems, and essays covered a wide range of topics, from science to history, all presented in an engaging way for children.
• The Parent's Assistant (1796) by Maria Edgeworth: This collection of stories aimed to help parents teach their children about good behavior and common sense.
• Keeper’s Travels in Search of His Master (1798) by Edward Augustus Kendall: This adventure story was told from the perspective of a dog, making it exciting for young readers.
• The Rational Brutes (1799) by Dorothy Kilner: This book used animal characters to explore ideas about reason and behavior.

These books from the 18th century show how children's literature began to grow and change. They moved from being mostly religious lessons to offering entertainment, adventure, and a wider range of educational topics, setting the stage for the amazing children's books we have today!

See also

• Books in the United Kingdom