A lively trip around the world which was intended to provide the young reader with information about the various countries. The level of information varies, and the more exotic continents of Asia and Africa described in what today would be thought of as derogatory terms. Each page has a hand-coloured illustration depicting the peoples, and sometimes the animals, of the world. Despite over 50 years of settlement, Australia only receives three lines, and no illustration.

In the 19th century the publication of books and games of local and world geography became extremely popular for both adults and children. For many these replaced the Grand tour of Europe; for the English they proclaimed the glory and wealth and diversity of the British Empire. The quality of the publications, and the accuracy of the text were sometimes questionable.

This particular copy of The Little Traveller has also been used as a scrapbook. Every blank page between the text pages has additional pictures pasted in, and additional pages have been sewn in and also decorated.

Muir, Percy H. English children's books, 1600 to 1900, London: Batsford, [1954]

Thwaite, M. F. From primer to pleasure in reading: an introduction to the history of children's books in England from the invention of printing to 1914, with an outline of some developments in other countries, London: Library Association, 1972

Whalley, Joyce Irene. Cobwebs to catch flies: illustrated books for the nursery and schoolroom, 1700-1900, London: Elek, 1974