Dean & Co. had been producing various types of movable book for many years, when in the mid 1850s they produced their 'New scenic books' series, which may be considered the first true movable books. In these a three-dimensional effect is achieved by producing scenes in three layers, which lay flat when the book is closed. When opened, a ribbon, which is fixed to each layer, is pulled from the back and the whole scene springs to life.
Little Red Riding Hood, or 'Le Petit Chaperon Rouge', was the first in this series, and was quickly followed by Robinson Crusoe, Cinderella and Aladdin.
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe was first published in 1719 and was quickly adopted by children. It had many of the elements of an exciting story: shipwreck, cannibals, survival against the odds, and rescue. Abridgements rapidly appeared and the first edition specifically for children was published in 1768. Chapbook and other further reduced editions appeared as did imitators. Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss was published in 1812-13 and Masterman Ready by Captain Marryat in 1841-42 are but two of these imitations.
