John Newbery, was an English publisher (出版商) of books who first made children’s literature (文学) a popular and profitable (赚钱的) part of the literary market. He also supported and published the works of Christopher Smart, Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Johnson. Because of his achievements, the Newbery Medal was named after him in 1922. And he is also called “The Father of Children’s Literature”.
John Newbery was born in 1713 in Berkshire, England. The son of a farmer, he saw to his own education and through his efforts became apprenticed (学徒) to a printer when he was sixteen years old. In 1740, Newbery started a publishing business in Reading. It became so successful that just a few years later, he was able to move to London to open a shop.
It was during this time that his first children’s book A Little Pretty Pocket Book was published. It was filled with rhymes and came bound in a colorful cover. The book also came with a ball for boys and a pincushion (针垫) for girls. Records showed that these items were red on one side and black on the other. When children did a good thing, they got a pin in the red side. When they did a bad thing, they got a pin in the black side. It was made to instruct children in proper way with playfulness rather than punishment.
A Little Pretty Pocket Book was so successful that it allowed Newbery to move his shop to a better location by 1747. He continued to publish for both adults and children, working to create more interesting gifts like balls and pincushions that allowed his books to serve as marketing as well as stories.
Throughout his career, Newbery published over one hundred books for children. Before him, there was no literature published especially for children; while after his work, it is one of the most popular and profitable publishing kinds. He published alphabet (字母) books, picture books, fairy tales, novels, and magazines.
Newbery passed away in 1767 at the age of fifty-four. In 1922, the Association (协会) for Library Service to Children created the John Newbery Medal as a way of honoring his great contribution (贡献) to American literature for children.
12. Who is “The Father of Children’s Literature”?
A.Christopher Smart. | B.Oliver Goldsmith. |
C.Samuel Johnson. | D.John Newbery. |
13. Which of the following is the character of John Newbery’s first children’s book?
A.The book had a red and black cover. |
B.The book came with a ball for girls. |
C.The book was full of rhymes. |
D.The book showed how to punish kids. |
14. What is probably the right order of the events?
1. John Newbery opened a shop in London.
2. He became apprenticed to a printer.
3. Newbery passed away.
4.
A Little Pretty Pocket Book was published.
5. The Newbery Medal was named after him.
A.21435 | B.24135 | C.21453 | D.24153 |
15. What is probably the title of the passage?
A.John Newbery: the father of children’s literature. |
B.The first children’s book: A Little Pretty Pocket Book. |
C.From a very common farmer to a great publisher. |
D.John Newbery Medal: an honor to writers. |