Literature for children reflects social views of childhood, thus books need to be considered as a product of their time. Prior to books, stories were told orally, giving enjoyment to adults and children alike. Early manuscripts were lessons for children, as were the first books printed on movable type. Hornbooks and primers had instructions couched in moralism.

During seventeenth-century Puritanism, books reflected the moral spirit of the times. Children found enjoyment in chapbooks, nursery rhymes, and adventure stories. John Newbery's publication in 1744 of A Little Pretty Pocket-Book hailed the beginning of children's literature because it was deliberately published for children's amusement. The last half of the eighteenth century saw many women writers who produced didactic books, novels, and poetry--basing their work on the educational theories of Locke and Rousseau.

Although the nineteenth century began with strong moralism in books of instruction, family stories, poetry, and boys' series, the final part of the century flourished with books of realistic families, amusing poetry, and exciting adventures. Folktales were accepted for children, foreign settings appeared in realistic books, fantasy and humor proliferated, books with movable parts were created, magazines made important literary contributions, and illustrations of quality were prominent.

During the first half of the twentieth century, children's literature became recognized as a field. The picture book rose to prominence, and informal books grew in number and quality. Series books for both boys and girls became very popular. Folktales came from all over the world; most poetry and fantasy books came from England. The second half of the century saw an increase in American writers of fantasy and poetry. Books of realism included minorities after the mid-60s, and stories of families that were not idyllic appeared as the "new realism" took over. An international literature began to develop.

Recent trends show that the children's book industry is a major economic venture and that new markets are developing in books for the very young. There have been increases in the publishing of picture books, realism books, informational books, poetry books, and reissues of the classics; there have been decreases in historical fiction, biographies, and fantasies. Many changes are taking place in writing and illustrating styles. An increased use of trade books in schools is the direct result of the whole-language movement and literature-based reading programs. This is a recognized need for more multicultural and international literature for children. Censorship has increased each decade since the 1950s. Technological advances may institute a multiliterate society.