JF Ptak Science Books  Post 2373

In the late 17th century John Comenius (1592-1670) wrote a book about universal (mostly practical) knowledge called The Visible World…, which also happens to be the first illustrated children’s book. It was a book about virtually anything, and everything, and certainly not a book about nothing, because sooner of later Comenius would get to the topic and deal with it, right or wrong.

The book was originally written in 1676, and translated into English in 1726; in that edition the translator states the purpose of the work:   

To entice witty children to it, that they may not conceit a torment to be in the school, but dainty/are., For it is apparent, that children (even from their infancy almost) are delighted with Pictures, and willingly please their eyes with these fights: And it will be very well worth the pains to have once brought it to pafs, that fcare-crows may be taken away out of Wifdom’s Gardens…”

The sections on writing and writing instruments and books are very engaging–they are short and concise, and all of the practicing elements of the illustrations are labelled and identified, which is a major bonus. 

On Writing