A century of children's books

"A Century of Children's Books" by Florence V. Barry is a historical study from the early 1900s that looks at how children's books changed over one hundred years. It shows how these books helped shape how kids thought about stories and used their imaginations. The book begins by thinking about what makes children's books special, explaining how they went from being mostly for teaching lessons to becoming exciting adventures. Barry explores the influence of old-fashioned moral stories and the rise of popular fairy tales, also considering that it is difficult to balance good teaching with fun. Barry’s introduction presents ideas about curiosity, imagination, and learning, preparing the reader to explore certain writing styles and important books in more detail.