Literature has been a part of society since pen met paper. He has recorded history, told fables, and entertained adults for centuries. Literature aimed at children, however, is a recent development. Although children's literature is young, the texts can be divided into two categories according to age. The exact dividing point is debatable, but as technology revolutionized the mid-20th century, it is the dividing point between classic and contemporary. Today's children's literature is extraordinarily different from the classics from which it emerged, but yet, as the classic has evolved into modern literature, the literature has retained many common traits. The construction of children's literature was a gradual process. For a long time, children's books were frowned upon. The stories were said to be vulgar and scary. Adults censored children's ears from the stories of everyday life, tales with improbable endings were not heard. It wasn't until the mid-1800s that stories about fairies and princesses began to be recognized. Although children's literature was accepted, books were not available to all children. With limited access to education, few public libraries, and the cost of books, these texts were only accessible to the middle and upper classes. As public education and libraries expanded, so did the accessibility of books and their popularity. They were no longer considered offensive, but rather cherished and loved by many children. Children's literature became orthodox and a revolution began, changing literature as it was known. As children's literature matured, so did the books. The illustrations were first made from woodcuts or on hand-colored wooden blocks. By the late 1800s, printing had evolved and illustrations were increasingly becoming...... middle of paper ......." Editorial. First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion & Public Life; December 2008: 13-16 Academic Search Web. October 19, 2010. "Children's Literature - Ancient History, Fairy and Folk Tales, Victorian Children's Literature, Contemporary Children's Literature - Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and Society". Faqs.org. Web. October 18, 2010. .Morton, Meredith Jean. "From 'Cinderella' to Graphic Novels." News Chief [Winter Haven, FL] November 8, 2009, D1 sec . 2009. Web. November 16, 2010. "The value of children's literature | Education.com." Education.com | An education and child development site for parents | Parental and educational resource. Web. October 20. 2010. .