A More Playful Tone

In the Forest.
Boston: L. Prang, ca. 1865
Rare Book & Special Collections Division
Gift/purchase from Marian S. Carson, 1997
(136C.12)

The Children's Pictorial Museum.
Philadelphia: J. Lyons, ca. 1850
Rare Book & Special Collections Division
Gift/purchase from Marian S. Carson, 1997
Rare Book & Special Collections Division
(108.10)

Books intended for children took on a more playful tone as the nineteenth century progressed. Progress in illustration helped to make books for children more attractive and entertaining. Chromolithography was perfected by Louis Prang of Boston in the 1860s.-He was the premiere printer of illustrated books. In this accordion-shaped book the robin, bull-frog, fox, and weasel entertain themselves in the forest after the sun goes down and the children are asleep. The large advertisement above for the Children's Pictorial Museum shows the publishing industry's willingness to cater to children with color and illustration. There is no evidence that Joseph Lyons was able to print this magazine in Philadelphia in the 1850s.