Children's Literature Highlights in the Caribbean
Dublin Core
Title
Children's Literature Highlights in the Caribbean
Description
This collection, with corresponding map, features books circulating in the 18th-19th-century Caribbean with relevance to children's lit history.
Contributor
Courtney Weikle-Mills
Collection Items
China and the English; Or, The Character and Manners of the Chinese. As Illustrated in the History of their Intercourse with Foreigners. Written for Abbott's Fireside Series.
A book included in Jacob Abbott's Fireside Series, China and the English gives an account of Marco Polo's expedition, the arrival of Portuguese traders in Guangzhou, the establishment of an English embassy, and attempts to spread Christianity. The…
Patience; A Tale
Part of a parcel of books by Barbara Hofland, author of over 60 children's books and schoolbooks, this novel features the story of Dora, a young woman whose patience is tried with the events of early married life. As the title page mentions, Hofland…
Tom Brown's School Days
Also known as Tom Brown's School Days at Rugby, this classic children's book popularized the school story genre, directly inspiring later books including J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter. The book's circulation in the Caribbean is interesting, given that…
The Lamplighter
Maria Susanna Cummins's best-selling sentimental novel tells the story of an orphan rescued from her abusive guardian by a humble lamplighter, who teaches her Christian values. The text was read by adults and children alike, and gave rise to various…
The Arabian Nights Entertainments
An adaptation of One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Middle Eastern Folk Tales, commonly known in English as Arabian Nights, this version by George Fyler Townsend draws from previous French and English translations. Given its publication…
Andersen's Tales for Children
Danish author Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales include famous stories such as "The Little Mermaid," "The Emperor's New Clothes," and "The Snow Queen" (pictured). This translation by Alfred Wehnert and Caroline Peachey was, given its publication…
Girl's Book of Diversions, or, Occupation for Play Hours
This game and story book, written and compiled by Elisa Leslie, features various activities designated for girls, followed by short tales by several other authors, including Barbara Hofland. The book includes multiple charming illustrations of…
Under the Waves: Or, Diving in Deep Waters: A Tale
This adventure novel telling the story of a "strapping youth of twenty-one" who travels the East Indies and ultimately battles pirates from Malaysia was written by Scottish children's author R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne, better known for The…
The Fables of Aesop, with a Life of the Author
The ubiquitous Aesop's Fables, attributed to the Greek slave and oral storyteller, Aesop, were highly recommended for children by British philosopher John Locke. This English edition by Samuel Croxall was advertised in Trinidad by Henry James Mills…
Leila; or, The island
This Robinsonade about a young girl and her family marooned on an island after a shipwreck was written by Scottish author Ann Fraser Tytler, followed by two more stories featuring the same characters. The novel has heavy religious overtones.