Originally published in 1744 by John Newbery, A Little Pretty Pocket-Book signaled a shift in attitudes toward children that occurred during the Industrial Age and has continued to the present day. Newbery's advertisement for the book stated that it was for "the Instruction and Amusement" of children—a considerable change from earlier children's books filled with religious tenets and admonitions for children to avoid idleness and sin. In a preface addressed to parents, "Newbery expressed the Enlightenment view that children should be molded and educated to be happy and productive citizens:

The grand design on the nurture of children, is to make them strong, hardy . . . virtuous, wise, and happy; arid these good purposes are not to be obtained without some care and management in their infancy.

Would you have your child strong, take care of your nurse; let...