Forgotten Books of the American Nursery / A History of the Development of the American Story-Book

The study traces the development of children's books in America from colonial catechisms and chap-books through eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century toy-books, examining changing formats, bindings, illustrations, and didactic content. It situates juvenile literature in family and religious life, describes influences from English play-books and Newbery-style offerings, and follows how patriotic printers, printers' catalogues, and evolving tastes reshaped subject matter and design. Chapters combine close description of representative titles, publishing practices, and visual examples to show the gradual shift from moral and religious instruction toward more varied amusements and instructional materials for young readers.