Orbis Pictus by John A. Comenius (1999, Paperback, Reprint)

Johannes Amos Comenius is credited with writing the first illustrated children's book in 1657. It was illustrated on copper and wood, and is formally titled "JOH. AMOS COMENIUS'S VISIBLE WORLD: OR, A Nomenclature, and Pictures OF ALL THE Chief Things that are in the World, and of Mens Employments therein; In above 150 Copper Cuts. WRITTEN By the Author in Latin and High Dutch, being one of his last ESSAYS; and the most suitable to Childrens Capacity of any he hath hitherto made." The book is a picture book of things that are (or were then) common in a child's life, with flowery words added. And so, it opens with "Orbis Sensualium Pictus, A World of Things Obvious to the Senses Drawn in Pictures." The pictures are small and black and white, but the words are descriptive and true to the time period in which it was written. Some of the topics are ones that would be in contemporary children's literature (animals, clouds, flowers, animals, food, etc.) but others would be a surprise to find in a child's book (the besieging of a city, the tormenting of malefactors, the roper and the cordwainer, the dressing of line, etc.) BUT I still love it, for historical value, and because Comenius had some fine ideas about teaching children.