ABSTRACT
The evolution of Aesop from a collection of somewhat florid moral fables to the neat tales published by John Newbery exemplifies the paradox that the history of children’s literature has always been characterised by continuity mixed with far-reaching change. The old fables, especially the compilation known as Aesop’s Fables which was first printed in English by Caxton in 1484, were also much used in schools. Newbery’s great talent was his understanding of the new market for children’s books and schoolbooks: exploiting that market required tenacity of purpose and the development of a class of books which appealed to both parents and children. John Newbery’s output was largely dependent on the school and home tutoring market, with his educational items selling to the proprietors of the increasing numbers of academies and private schools springing up throughout the country and to parents eager to enhance their children’s education.
