Feature The Moral of the Story Illustrated picture books in Victorian England reached new aesthetic heights. But was it always for the benefit of the children? Lucie Duggan | Published in History Today Volume 71 Issue 6 June 2021 Beauty and the Beast, 1896, illustration by Walter Crane. Alamy. To continue reading this article you will need to purchase access to the online archive. Buy Online Access Buy Print & Archive Subscription If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in. Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.