Figure 1.--This illustrated appeared in an early 20th century storybook. We do not know, however, who the illustrator and author were. We are not sure about the date of publication, but would guess the late 1910s or early 20s. The illustrations are particularkly interesting because they are contemporary and not historic. We believe this illustration comes from an American book, but it could be Canadian. Image courtesy of the CS collection.

Children's narratives-fiction as well as non-fiction-pre-dated dime novels. Well before the Civil War, magazines for children offered heavily moralistic stories and features on history as well as current events, natural history, and other topics. The Civil War inspired northern writers for children, especially, to focus even more on exciting stories of adventure and peril, although the old values and standards were often conspicuously and tediously present. The leading producer of this guns and bugles genre of juvenile literature was Oliver Optic (William Adams), who wrote a number of books during the Civil War, including the Army and Navy Trilogies (which were republished late in the century), and edited the Student and Schoolmate magazine. There were some popular monthly publications with stories by a vaiety of authors. I'm not familiar with annuals which were popular in Britain. There was a condsiderable differnce with Bitish children's literature. The school stories set in exclusive private schools seem to have been less common in America. There were notable changes in children's literature after World War II. Children's books by the 1960s began to address more realistically problem of childhood. We are especially interested in the illustrations showing contemporary clothing rather than the books dealing with hisorical periods. The illustration here looks to show children playing in the late 1910s (figure 1).

Literary Trends

Children's narratives-fiction as well as non-fiction-pre-dated dime novels. Well before the Civil War, magazines for children offered heavily moralistic stories and features on history as well as current events, natural history, and other topics. The Civil War inspired northern writers for children, especially, to focus even more on exciting stories of adventure and peril, although the old values and standards were often conspicuously and tediously present. The leading producer of this guns and bugles genre of juvenile literature was Oliver Optic (William Adams), who wrote a number of books during the Civil War, including the Army and Navy Trilogies (which were republished late in the century), and edited the Student and Schoolmate magazine. There were some popular monthly publications with stories by a vaiety of authors. I'm not familiar with annuals which were popular in Britain. There was a condsiderable differnce with British children's literature. The school stories set at exclusive private schools seem to have been less common in America. After the turn of the 20th century there were many chages in children's literature. Especially popular was the appearance of color illustations. Also series began to appear like the Bobsey Twins, Nancy Drew, ect. These were popular with many avid young readers. There were notable changes in children's literature after World War II. Children's books by the 1960s began to address more realistically problem of childhood.

Illustrations

Axillustrations are often used extensively in children's books and because the books often deal with children, these illustrations are a wonderful source of information on children's fashions. Helful here is the fact that the books often can be dated. We are especially interested in the illustrations showing contemporary clothing rather than the books dealing with hisorical periods. Illustratins done of historical eras are subject to significant error and artistic license. Illustrations of contemporary times are of course not perfect ources, but much more likelt to be reasonably accirate, if some what idealized. The illustration here looks to show children playing in the late 1910s (figure 1).

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Created: 6:38 AM 9/2/2004
Last updated: 5:52 PM 9/2/2004