The Book of Accidents Designed for Young Children, 1831.

JF Ptak Science Books   Quick Post

The very Gorey-ish title of this book--seemingly designed to manufacture accidents for children--is actually a children's advocate book. Its a small book, a chapbook, made for small hands, produced on the cheap and meant to be consumed by children and adults alike, warning people of the commonplace dangers that called on children in the 1830's.  Scalding, being kicked by a horse, falling, being injured while playing with knives and candles and firearms, crossing the street, being tossed by a bull or wild horse, falling out of a coach, drowning, playing and throwing stones, tumbling down stairs and the like made a devastating impact on the lives of children--sometimes ending them, as the author points out.  By pointing out these dangers, and by having them read by (or to) children, the author believed that the lives of thousands of children could be saved.

[Image sources:  Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.]

The mission statement:

He was correct, of course; its a legendary problem trying to protect children from the obvious.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Motherallie]

I love this! Even though this was written as a serious "advocate" book, it reminds me of the tongue-in-cheek book that my kids LOVED when they were little: "That's Dangerous!" by Pittau/Gervais.

http://www.amazon.com/Thats-Dangerous-Francesco-Pittau/dp/1579123503

Thanks for sharing!