I have written a lot about the British Library Classic Crime series (the Christmas one is wonderful and will review soon), but though this seems to be the part of the publishing venture that attracts attention, they also publish a selection of other wonderful books. I spotted the History of Children's Books in Heffers in Cambridge and thought it looked so interesting and was delighted when those lovely peeps at the BL sent me a copy.
Years ago when I was a mini skirted, booted, panda eyed teenager, I worked in Camden LIbraries. So did my sister and my mother – my 
sister in fact worked at the British LIbrary before it moved to its current home and this may explain the fondness I have for this institution. I also used to help in the junior library, cataloguing new books, and chatting to the readers. I had spent so many happy years in my library when small and opening this book and discovering all those old loved titles was delightful.
The blurb tells us that this book 'takes on a global perspective and traces the development of the genre from ancient stories such as Aesop's fables……to the fairy tales of the brothers Grimm….to the Ladybird books and up to modern bestsellers'
Ok so that is what it is all about but what it does not tell you is just how delightful this book is. Yes it is packed with history, all of it totally fascinating, but it is so clear that the authors just love the books they are writing about that I found myself totally drawn in and sat down all one day reading it. In the end I had to take a break as I was getting so stuffed with nostalgia and cries of Oh yes I remember Orlando the Cat, Ruper Bear, WInnie the Pooh, Tim and the Brave sea Captain that every now and then I needed to put the kettle on and give myself a rest. After ten minutes I was drawn back.
Did you know that the first public library which paid special attention to children's reading was founded in Nottingham in 1882 where an enlightened city librarian, John Potter Briscoe, set up the Nottingham library for Boys and Girls? Frances Catherine Hill started there as a library assistant at 12s.6d a week and was the first of those librarians who fostered and guided children's reading. I had a children's librarian, Miss Robinson, who put up with me coming into the library at least five times a week and in the end allowed me to take out double the number of books as I read my way through her stock. She was lovely and I have never forgotten her.
Who remembers Children of the New Forest by Captain Marryat? Not many I will be bound and you know what, I actually read it. Yes I did. Now look at this binding. This was developed in Scotland by William Blackie & Son and the books they published became internationally famous for the Art Nouveau designs often associated with Charles Rennie Macintosh. These books are now very collectible indeed so if you have any lurking on your shelves do hang onto them. I think they are beautiful. Other publishers used similar bindings. This one, by Frances Hodgson Burnett, also features wood engraving illustrations. This particular book is on my shelves, published by Frederick Warne in 1890, I came across this at a jumble sale and it cost me the princely sum of £1. It is beautiful..
Another gem of information unearthed in my reading -Julia Horatia Ewing wrote for a magazine started by her mother especially for children. Apparently Ewing strongly influenced the writing of Kipling and E Nesbit. She was also the author of a short story 'The Brownies' whose name was adopted by Baden-Powell for the younger Girl Guides. One of those facts to be tucked away and brought out at pub quizzes or to astound friends with your knowledge of useless information. But, fascinating all the same.
To prove there is nothing new under the sun it seems that there was a thought at one time that prolific authors such as W E Johns and Enid Blyton might have engaged ghostwriters to write the seemingly endless flood of books from these two writers. It seems they were wrong but the earlier Sexton Blake stories, beloved by young boys, were ghostwritten.
Bit like James Patterson today really…..
I could treble the length of this post quite easily as this is a book designed to raise enthusiasm and delight in equal parts. It is always joyous to remember beloved titles of one's childhood, but it is also a scholarly work, packed with interesting anecdotes, details of publishers, illustrators and, clearly, a labour of love.
It is joining my permanent library. A glorious book and one to treat yourself to for Christmas.
You know it makes sense.
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