Natural history, especially the study of birds, beasts and botany, was one of the most popular subjects for books for both adults and children in 18th and 19th centuries. This arose in part because of the proximity of the countryside to the lives of the readers: if they did not live permanently in the country then they were able to spend a good portion of their time there either on their estates or in country retreats.

Moral and religious parallels could also be drawn from studying the works of Nature, and the study of natural history was considered '... a particularly suitable study for young people;' (Whalley, p. 113).

Facts were passed to children in a conversational pattern between child audience and parent or instructor. Accuracy in description and in illustration became more important particularly by the mid-19th century with the growth and popularity of zoos and museums.

Using this conversational style The Vegetable Kingdom deals with botany discussing both flowering and non-flowering plants, trees and seaweeds, plants familiar in the English countryside or the garden, and with others less familiar such as the cactus, Australian stringybark trees and some of the exotic spice trees.

This and other books in the series First steps in general knowledge were donated by the Gilbert Family of Pewsey Vale.

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

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

Bratton, J. S. The impact of Victorian children's fiction, London: Croom Helm; Totowa, N.J.: Barnes & Noble, 1981

State Library of South Australia: Children's Literature Research Collection. The Gilbert Collection

University of Delaware: World of the child: Books of instruction

British Library: Historical survey of children's literature in the British Library: 19th century

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. To be a child August 2004-