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Once Upon a Time: Illustrations from Fairytales, Fables, Primers, Pop-Ups, and Other Children's Books

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Novels, history books, Christmas books, and cautionary tales are other genres included not noted in the subtitle. American and English children's books are grouped by genre in this largely visual overview of mostly Victorian-era children's books with the colorful illustrations which made them so popular with mothers and children in their day and also of continuing interest to contemporary collectors. The illustrations are reproduced to retain their distinctive 19th-century tones and textures, most of these as chromolithographs. The varied, fetching illustrations are accompanied by Weinsteins's informative annotations containing remarks on the illustrations, characters, story, etc. of the particular book and its place in the field of Victorian children's literature. In brief introductions to each of the main genres, she refers to its influences, conventions, and aims; e. g., the moral tone of the cautionary tales and many other children's books was influenced by the 18th-century French philosopher Rousseau, "who theorized that children were imbued with an innate virtue" that could be fostered for exemplary obedience, a love of nature, and respect for reason. McLoughlin Brothers, the publisher of many of the most sought-after collectible children's books began by concentrating on small religious works for children as well as adults. The noticeable influence of German fairy tales on the American and English children's literature is cited too. Weinstein is a curator at the New York Historical Society who has done an exhibition of toys for the Museum of the City of New York. "Once Upon A Time" is an illustrated overview of the popular English-language Victorian children's books with fundamental factual information on the field. With its categorization of the different types of literature and plentiful representative illustrations, it's a good start for someone wanting to get filled in on the basics of this field.

Amy Weinstein's Once Upon A Time: Illustrations From Fairytales, Fables, Primers, Pop-Ups And Other Children's Books is based upon an art exhibition of the same name and uses colorful images from Victorian-era illustrated books by Ellen Liman and her husband Arthur to provide a review of striking art objects and the rise of children's literature. Exquisite full-page color plates - some on double-page spreads - liberally accent descriptions which include story plot summaries and commentary. A treasure for any who love old-fashioned children's books.