By Inna Pilevich: International Children's Book Day is celebrated on 2 April. It coincides with the birthday of the famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.
Now, children's books are more of an entertainment, but back in the day the main purpose of such editions was education.
Every ticket holder of the National Library can see what children from different countries read at different times. The funds of the Library contain a lot of rare editions. The first books for young amateurs of literature almost have no pictures and their content is very serious.
Children's literature emerged fairly recently. Until the mid- 17th century, young readers read books for grown-ups. Basically those were texts from the Bible. Fairy tales were told verbally.
To Belarus, children's literature came from abroad. Editions, more often romantic content, were translated from French or German. Domestic printing houses began to print educational and moral literature only in the 20th century.
Alexander Susha, the Deputy Director of the National Library of Belarus:
"Today, children's books are primarily intended for fun and play. In ancient times, a book for children was mainly about educational. The book brings up a decent person, a patriot, and a personality that can navigate the world of good and evil."
Also, the Museum of Rare Books presents an exhibition of books that children learned to read at different times. All editions of the ABC book are presented here. This year, the book that opens the world of literature for young readers is 400 years old.













