How did John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress become popular with children?

John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress was not originally written specifically for children, but it became a staple of their reading through a combination of its inherent narrative appeal and the limited availability of other literature for young people at the time.1

While the work was often forced upon children as part of a Puritan upbringing, many children genuinely enjoyed it in the absence of other engaging alternatives. Its popularity with young readers was bolstered by several factors:1

• Narrative Qualities: The book functions as a folktale filled with stirring action, including encounters with giants and monsters, which captured the imaginations of young readers.23
• Accessibility: The narrative was frequently presented in simplified forms, making the complex allegory more accessible to children.1
• Fascination: Despite its didactic origins, the work was often remembered by later generations as a book of "wondrous fascination," standing out against the more rigid instructional manuals of the era.1

Ultimately, the book’s ability to evoke a sense of adventure allowed it to transcend its original adult audience and become a beloved, if sometimes imposed, classic for children.1