Little Lord Fauntleroy, the first children's novel…

Little Lord Fauntleroy, the first children's novel written by English playwright and author Frances Hodgson Burnett, had been originally published as a serial in the St. Nicholas Magazine between November 1885 and October 1886, then as a book by Scribner's in 1886.

The accompanying illustrations by Reginald Birch set fashion trends and Little Lord Fauntleroy also sets a precedent in copyright law when in 1888 its author wins a lawsuit against E. V. Seebohm over the rights to theatrical adaptations of the work.

Polly Hovarth writes that Little Lord Fauntleroy "was the Harry Potter of his time and Frances Hodgson Burnett was as celebrated for creating him as J.K. Rowling is for Potter."

During the serialization in St. Nicholas Magazine, readers looked forward to new installments.

The fashions in the book became popular with velvet Lord Fauntleroy suits being sold, as well as other Fauntleroy merchandise such as velvet collars, playing cards, and chocolates.

During a period when sentimental fiction is the norm, and in the United States the "rags to riches" story popular, Little Lord Fauntleroy is a hit. (Horvath, Polly (2004), "Foreword", Little Lord Fauntleroy, Simon and Schuster)