From Instruction to Delight: An Anthology of Children's Literature to 1850 - Softcover

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 cultural value 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.

Patricia Demers, Professor of English at the University of Alberta, has written extensively about children's literature; her recent publications include Women's Writing in English; Early Modern England and an edition of Hannah More's Coelebs in Search of a Wife.