Ziet, lieve kinderen! als 'g 'u verpoost van 't leeren, / Voorzeker zult gy meer van deze soort begeeren; / Deez' mooije prent, en leest de versjens met verstand, / Wel nu, ligt nemen wy die taak nog eens ter hand 1806 - 1830

This is a print made by Jan Oortman Senior in the late 18th century. It’s a Dutch text on paper with sixteen scenes intended for children. Consider the world of children's literature at this time. Moral instruction was often delivered through visual and textual narratives. Each scene offers a glimpse into everyday life, framing childhood within the rigid social structures of the time. Notice how the verses above each scene subtly blend education with a desire for more "of this sort," revealing an interesting interplay between learning and pleasure. There are different trades on display: A shoemaker, a cloth merchant, a barrel maker. This work can be seen as maintaining traditional roles and expectations, but it also invites us to think about how children were being positioned within a changing society. The act of reading becomes not just a skill, but a gateway to understanding their place in the world.