Children's Books History Society

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The Children's Books History Society (CBHS) is a group promoting children's literature of the past. [1] It was founded by book critic Brian Alderson in 1969. [2] Publications by the society include three newsletters annually, each with articles, reports and reviews and an Occasional Paper (covering topics such as Early Alphabets, Peter Pan, Chapbooks, and Children's Illustrations of the 1860s)from time to time. In July 1999 the group celebrated the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Religious Tract Society, a leading publisher of children's books in the 19th century. [2]

Brian Alderson is an author, translator, critic, and children's book historian. He has translated fairy tales, is a contributor to Books for Keeps and was children's books editor for The Times. He founded the Children's Books History Society.

Religious Tract Society British publisher of Christian literature

The Religious Tract Society, founded 1799, 56 Paternoster Row and 65 St. Paul's Chuchyard and 164 Piccadilly, was the original name of a major British publisher of Christian literature intended initially for evangelism, and including literature aimed at children, women, and the poor.

The Children's Books History Society was initially created as a Branch of the Friends of the Osborne Collection, a collection of early children's books at the Toronto Public Library. It is now independent, although it maintains links to the Osborne Collection. [2]

Toronto Public Library (TPL) is a public library system in Toronto, Ontario. It is the largest public library system in Canada and in 2008, had averaged a higher circulation per capita than any other public library system internationally, making it the largest neighbourhood-based library system in the world. Within North America, it also had the highest circulation and visitors when compared to other large urban systems. Established as the library of the Mechanics' Institute in 1830, the Toronto Public Library now consists of 100 branch libraries and has over 12 million items in its collection.

The society gives a biennial award in honor of Harvey Darton to the author of the best book published in the two preceding years for a book, published in English, which extends our knowledge of some aspect of British children's literature of the past. [2] Society meetings occur in England with a one-day conference with an opportunity to explore a theme in greater depth. [2] Membership is £15 a year for the UK and Europe plus additional mailing costs for those residing outside the U.K.

Frederick Joseph Harvey Darton was an author, publisher, and historian of children's literature. In 1932 he wrote a pioneering work: The Story of English Children's Books in England: Five Centuries of Social Life. The Children's Books History Society makes an award in his honour.

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References

  1. "Children's Books History Society". Toronto Public Library. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Children's Books History Society". Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. History of Reading News. Vol.XXIII No.1 (1999:Fall)