Walk into any bookstore and you will find row upon rows of children’s books. From Beatrix Potter’s “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” and Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” to colourful pictures books by Quentin Blake, young readers today are spoilt for choice. But have you ever wondered who wrote the first children’s book? Or what it was about? Read on to find out…
“Orbis Pictus”
Author Jan Komensky, also known as John Amos Comenius, is widely regarded to have written the earliest known children’s book (considered to be the first at least in Europe and the U.S.). Titled “Orbis Sensualium Pictus”, it was one of the firs books aimed at children, unlike grammar handbooks and treatises meant for teachers. Focused on the visual element, the book is full of pictures, 150 to be exact, covering a range of things: animals, nature, the elements and religion.
When was it published?
It was first published in Latin and German in Nuremberg in 1658. Comenius, who was born in Northern Moravia (now in the Czech Republic), was a teacher who wanted to create a book that could be read by children of all ages. It was initially published in black and white; colour was added to later editions.
Did you know?
- Comenius’ book was a hit across Europe and was translated into several other languages.
- Despite the book being incredibly popular, few copies have survived. Many of these have won out pages because children returned to the pictures over and over again.
- It opens with: “Come, boy, learn to be wise.” The student asks, “What does this meant, to be wise?” His teacher answers, “To understand rightly, to do rightly, and to speak out rightly all that are necessary.” (taken from an English translation of the book)
- The Orbis Pictus Award established in 1989 recognised excellence in non-fiction writing for children.
What does the “Orbis Sensualium Pictus” mean?
The Latin title translates to ‘The Visible World’ or ‘The World Around Us in Pictures.’ Each picture has captions in Latin, and in the language of the country it was published in.
At the time, Latin was commonly taught in schools. It was the language used by the monarchy and the clergy across much of Europe. It was also the language that the Bible was in.
Picture Credit : Google