Structured chronologically, this text charts over 100 years in children's book covers and jackets, dating back to the 18th century. It features authors and illustrators predominantly working in the UK and the USA including Edward Lear, Randolph Caldecott, Beatrix Potter, Kenneth Grahame, Arthur Ransome, Jean de Brunhoff, Maurice Sendak and Raymond Briggs. This volume contains colour images of over 400 books, both rare and familiar, with surveys of classic titles such as "Struwwelpeter", through the pioneer works of the mid-20th century such as the "Babar" books, to the varied products of the post-war period, including the "Harry Potter" and "Lemony Snicket" books. The author offers insights into developments in printing and binding techniques, publishing, marketing as well as detail and comment on authors and illustrators. It should be of interest to collectors, design enthusiasts and lover's of children's literature.

Table of Contents

Chapbooks to giftbooks; precious children - the 20s and 30s; wartime and reconstruction - the 40s and 50s; when we all dressed up - the 60s and 70s; Cold War to globalisation - the 80s to the present day.

Author Biography

Alan Powers, the General Editor of this revised edition, is Senior Lecturer at the University of Greenwich School of Architecture and Landscape, London. He has published several books and monographs on English architecture, interiors and decorative arts including Modern: The Modern Movement in Britain and the bestselling Living with Books (also Mitchell Beazley) which was translated in 6 languages. He is a regular contributor to Country Life, Grand Designs magazine and The Spectator.