Did you know that March is Women's History Month? You can find many books for children and teens created by women at the Frisco Library. The concept of childhood in America is actually a fairly recent invention; we did not particularly see a distinction between children and adults until the 1800s, when the Industrial Revolution and widespread commercialization created a new market in children. This is the era in which a separate literary genre emerged, primarily published under pseudonyms. As it became more common for works to be properly attributed to their contributors without concealment, it became apparent that many of the authors and illustrators producing these works were women. Throughout the 20th century, the American middle class grew, and with it came a market of children whose parents had disposable income for recreational reading. In the 1950s, the concept of the American teenager was born, and alongside it came yet another new market of readers. Central to all of these developments were women authors, illustrators, and innovators. Below, find a list of early picture books, children's books, and teens' books written and illustrated by women.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's Farm, opens a new window
The Door in the Wall, opens a new window
The Story of the Treasure Seekers, opens a new window
Johnny Tremain, opens a new window
Six to Sixteen, opens a new window
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