AustLit

This thesis covers the evolution of the children's book trade in the United Kingdom and the United States of America up to 1830, listing influential booksellers and publishers and summarising their activities during the period. It is a rare analysis of the strategies employed by early members of the children's book trade, and its insights into the activities of John Newbery are particularly useful. It demonstrates that the foundation of the trade was based on a combination of cultural and commercial principles, despite the fact that early publishers were at pains to indicate that they were operating either from a desire to instruct or entertain children. These publishers were aware too of the potentially profitable nature of their business and invented strategies to develop those profits.