By examining the objects used for childrearing over the course of 300 years, Calvert (American history, U. of Pennsylvania) maps the changes in the material culture of parenting and uncovers the history of childhood in America. Includes 26 bandw illustrations. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Warren W. Wooden's pioneering studies of early examples of children's literature throw new light on many accepted works of the English Renaissance period. In consequence, they appear more complex, significant, and successful than hitherto realized. In these nine essays, Wooden traces the roots of English children's literature in the Renaissance beginning with the first printed books of Caxton and ranging through the work of John Bunyan. Wooden examines a number of works and authors from this period of two centuries -- some from the standard canon, others obscure or neglected -- while addressing questions about the early development of children's literature.

This multidisciplinary handbook pulls together in one volume the research on children's and young adult literature which is currently scattered across three intersecting disciplines: education, English, and library and information science.