English publisher John Newbery (1713-1767) was the first person to create books specifically for children. His work reflected the changes in attitudes about children during the eighteenth century and aimed to present entertaining and educational materials designed for a child's reading level and interests.

The eighteenth-century publisher John Newbery was the first person to focus on the creation and marketing of books for children. The success of his work was due in part to the rise of the British middle class during this period and the increased amount of money and leisure time they were able to spend on their children. Another factor was a changing philosophy about the role and nature of children; rather than being looked upon as miniature adults, children were beginning to be recognized as having interests, energies, and attention spans that were greatly different from those of adults. Newbery's accomplishments in catering to...