A few years ago I began collecting children’s picture books related to American literary history. As a professor of American literature, I was initially curious about how the authors and texts that I teach and write about were being represented to young readers. But, I quickly became a fan of the genre and particularly the interplay between word and image that defines these books. I have over 200 volumes in my collection and I plan to write about them — just as soon as I find the time.

Here are some of the oldest books in my collection, including a Spanish-language edition.