Some fine poetry is written just for children. Children's literature also introduces readers to the wonders of science and the beauty of art. Illustrations are a special feature of children's literature. In general, children's books emphasize illustrations much more than do books for adult readers. Books written for young children have more pictures than do books for older children.
Illustrations frequently contribute as much to the reader's enjoyment as does the text of the book.
The history of children's literature in English dates back to the A.D. 600's. But for about 1,200 years, this branch of literature grew slowly. Before the 1800's, few authors wrote books intended for children. Almost none of those who did attempted to entertain their readers. Instead, most authors wrote to teach children what to believe and how to behave, or to teach such subjects as reading, history, and science.