History of Children’s Literature in Western Countries

Children’s literature has evolved through the generations. In ancient times children did not have their
own stories. Children listened to oral storytellers recite tales intended for adults. As time passed focus
shifted to a child’s needs. Educational writing and didactic stories were written with children in mind.
When printed children’s books became more easily available stories moved from merely educational to
entertaining as well. Children’s literature today now features child focused stories that offer views of
real life as well as delightful fantasy. The evolution of children’s literature through the generations has
progressed from the early oral folktales to the modern child-centered stories of today.

Seventeenth Century

The seventeenth century ushered out the Renaissance and began the modern era. Literature for
children during the Renaissance focused on education. The Puritans of the seventeenth century
followed this example by creating educational reading tools for children. School books, called
Hornbooks, were used during this time (Russell, 2009). They were primitive wooden slabs with
information written on parchment attached. These laminated lesson books could be used repeatedly.
Children raised as Puritans followed a strict religious culture that was reflected in the writing available to
children in that period. The school books provided lessons on the alphabet using religious rhymes.
Besides Puritanism, the philosophy of John Locke influenced seventeenth century children’s literature.

18th and Early 19th Century

The early eighteenth century continued the trend of children reading books that were written for adults.
In 1744 John Newbery published the first book for children “A Little Pretty Pocket Book” (Russell, 2009).
This book featured illustrated pages based on the alphabet and included several fables as well (Indiana
University, n.d.). Newbery’s idea of creating books specifically for children changed children’s literature
from this point, and the American Library Association honors him by giving an award in his name to the
best children’s book in the United States Annually (Russell, 2009).

The Victorian Age

With the growth of the industrial revolution children’s literature blossomed into the “Golden Age of
children’s books” (Russell, 2009, p. 12). Publication of children’s books increased with technological
breakthroughs allowing literature to be available to many more children. The middle class grew creating
a larger reading audience. Women’s status improved in this period, and because women were the
primary authors this affected children’s literature. The Romantic Movement, at the end of the
eighteenth century and into the beginning of the nineteenth century, idealized childhood and
celebrated imagination encouraging the children’s literature movement (Russell, 2009).

History of Children's literature in the Philippines Shores

Children’s literature in the Philippines traces its roots to oral tradition before Spain colonised the
archipelago. Mothers sung lullabies for their babies. Each region had its own lullaby: Ili-ili Tulog Anay
from the Visayas, Paghehele of the Tagalogs; and Duoay ya of the Ilocaos. Youngsters heard folktales
from adults; these tales were meant to educate the young. Further, proverbs and riddles reflected the
people’s philosophy and way of life. Likewise, these had morals.

Today, children’s literature range from books to multimedia materials and television shows. Children’s
shows now also have print collectibles—which include activity and colouring books. Some shows, ABS-
CBN’s Matanglawin, for example, put into print what has been featured in various episodes.

The first book for children came in 1593, Doctrina Cristiana en Lengua Tagala y Española, written by
Father Domingo Nieva. It was used for religious instruction; children never actually held the book. Only
adults had handled the book (Parayno 1991, 18).

The Filipino child’s first alphabets were learned from the Cartilla (Parayno 1991, 19), sometimes called
Caton or Abecedario. This list of Roman alphabets and syllables replaced the native alibata (Alabado
2001, 36). Books were focused on the lives of saints, prayers and sermons. Written in the vernacular—in
Roman alphabets—these were distributed throughout the archipelago.

Being in the verse form, the Pasion, Pabasa in Tagalog, was the most popular. Aside from the form,
readers believed they would get indulgences from the Catholic Church for their sins. It was recited in
homes and improvised chapels during the Lent; usually by solo or duet. Friends made it a point to recite
the Pasion in homes where the family agreed to make the ritual a tradition. Those who could not read or
write were still able to recite stanzas of the Pasion. According to historian Horacio de la Costa, SJ,
Christ’s imitation in the Pasion made an indio a good Christian and good subjects of Spain in accordance
to the king’s constitution (Alabado 2001, 37).

Children were later exposed to western romantic tales involving kings and knights. They found this
interesting and called it their own. Examples are: El Cid of Spain and Charlemagne of France (Parayno
1991, 19).

Children’s books in the Philippines have greatly evolved. From Western books in the beginning, the
Filipino child has found morals and entertainment in stories that are familiar to him. He is provided with
materials that foster appreciation of his own culture and values, not a foreigner’s.