In this anthology Patricia Demers illustrates the development of the genre of Children's Literature, from its earnest beginnings to the dawn of its Golden Age, introducing each selection and placing it in historical context. From early colloquies and hornbooks to charming miniature libraries, the selections - many of which are accompanied by their original illustrations - provide a window through which to trace the developing concept of childhood and the culturalvalue of the child. This expanded third edition reflects recent important gains made in the academic study of children's literature. It also offers a number of new selections and illustrations.