Reading, Rhyming, Remembering: Children’s education from the Past

Explore how children learned Pre-20th Century and Early 1900s, through images, storybooks, rhymes, and moral tales. A fun and nostalgic exhibition for schools and families—where learning met imagination!

Discover the storybook world of early childhood learning at Manchester Council’s Heritage Open Day. This special exhibition showcases a rich collection of children’s books published Pre-20th Century and Early 1900s with some older material from the previous centuries, offering a fascinating glimpse into how young minds were shaped through literature. From 17th-century spelling books and moral tales to 19th-century fairy stories and educational chapbooks, the display reveals how storytelling, rhyme, and repetition were central to teaching reading, values, and imagination. Visitors will encounter beautifully illustrated texts, religious tracts, nature guides, and playful primers that reflect the evolving techniques used in schools and homes. Whether it’s Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Aesop’s fables, or Victorian nursery rhymes, each book tells a tale of how children once learned to navigate the world. Ideal for families, educators, and literature lovers, this event invites you to explore the roots of children’s education and the enduring power of books to inspire, instruct, and delight.

Free – drop in

Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library