Remarkable Books - Children's Books

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This small bookcase contains four non-fiction, educational books in the centre: Child’s First Book (Vol I), Stories from Genesis (Vol II), Stories from Natural History (Vol III), Biography (Vol IV). The drawers contain individual word cards and letters for making sentences.
A bookcase of knowledge
The Child’s Bookcase : The Library of Instruction and Amusement’, London: Printed by B. Benson of Weymoth for Charles Tilt, Fleet Street, 1840. [Acc 38:1631. Presented by Mrs. R. Glynn – Baker, 1938.]
This bundle of cards was intended to be educational as well as fun. A child also hand-embroidered a small bag for what was probably a precious game.
Educational playthings
New Bath Alphabet, A Pack of Cards, A.B.C. with Drol Figures and easy Verses, London: Published by G. Graham, July 7, 1814. [Acc No. 29431. Presented via Mr. John Hatton , December 1928. ]
Chatto and Windus published several 'Midget Books' during WWII, often featuring educational and entertaining stories suitable for children with little to cheer them in hard times. Printing on a single section of folded paper with a simple sewn thread binding used minimal rationed products, but they have a distinctive style due to the colourful auto lithographed illustrations by illustrator Trekkie Ritchie.
Children's treats in a time of restrictions and war
The Story of Your Cup of Tea Midget Books How and Why stories : No E5 AND The Oak Midget Books Nature Stories, Midget Books Nature stories : No. G3. London: Chatto & Windus [1940s]. [Acc: Gift of H. Trant, 2025.]
Written by a Puritan minister, this book was originally published in 1671 and instructed Puritan parents that children are born ‘wicked’ and would ‘burn in hell’ if they did not live pious lives. One of the earliest known examples of an English book written directly for children, it is considered a classic in children's literature and was reprinted several times.
Early moralistic tales for children
Janeaway, James, A Token for Children: Being an account of the conversion, holy lives and joyful deathes of several young children, London: Christies Bible warehouse, [c1820]. 5cm. [Acc 31:434. Gift of Miss Silcox., 1931.]
Beatrix Potter struggled to get the first of her beloved books published in 1902, but her set of 23 tales is now firmly set in the minds of generations of children. Several of her distinctive rabbit drawings had already appeared in 1890 in a book of verses by Frederic Weatherly, a Bath solicitor and lyricist.
Beloved tales of bunny rabbits
Potter, Beatrix, The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, 1st ed., London: Frederick Warne and Co., 1904. [Acc A607009. Source: ‘Holton, 1977’]
In the 19th century publishing books for children became more specialised and colourful. This set of little books would once have had their own card box with the library name, but this has been lost over time.
A little library of illustrated knowledge
The Lilliputian Library. Little Tales by Fénelon, 10th edition, Guben: F. Fechner, London: Joseph Myers & Co, circa 1860. 4 vols. [Acc 41:471-474. Presented by Miss E. Verrier, 1941.]

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