Children Reading: from the Age of Hogarth to the Era of AI

Professor Matthew Grenby (Newcastle University) takes us from the beginnings of children’s books in Britain in the mid-18^th century to the present day, reflecting on children’s book use and the constant need to adapt to new technology, from the handpress, to the machine press, to colour printing and computers.

As well as being an expert on the 18^th century and children’s literature and history, political fiction, and electoral participation, Professor Grenby is Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, at Newcastle University, and leads the university’s partnership with Coram which began in 2023 as part of the development of the Coram Institute for Children.