Childhoods Past offers rare insights into the creative spirit of children and how they reveal their view of the world. The images offer extraordinary and unique historical moments and personal responses captured through the eyes of children.

This remarkable collection of children's paintings and drawings are the fruits of one woman's life spent studying children's art, promoting children's issues, and educating future teachers to continue her work. Frances Derham was an educator and artist who, for more than half a century, collected children's art from Australia and throughout the world. A passionate advocate for children and their work, Derham played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of art education in Australia. This book is a celebration of her work and of the children whose art she collected.