Every year we like to set a theme for the Colour of the Month, and for 2026, we are delighted to announce our theme is Children's Literature! We all have our childhood favourite books and they evoke strong emotions and nostalgia when we think back on them, but they are also part of a genre with a fascinating history and are a wonderful source of inspiration!

Children's Literature encompasses a wide range of works, including acknowledged classics of world literature, picture books and easy-to-read stories written exclusively for children, but also fairy tales, lullabies, fables, folk songs, and other primarily orally transmitted materials. Children’s literature first clearly emerged as a distinct and independent form of literature in the second half of the 18th century. Prior to this elements existed but hadn't been gathered together into any form of a coherent body of work. Some tales, legends, and myths have existed for centuries making this a venerable type of literature but it wasn't until the 20th century, however, that its growth really took off. Today children's literature is well established and commands the respect that is due any other recognized branch of literature, while recognizing its playful nature!