Manuscript list of reading material for children entitled 'Food for Nestlings' by 'M.D.', described by its author as 'A Catalogue of Children's Books with The Ages At which they are most desirable as Presents. The Stars denote Those Books which have proved Particularly Valuable or Amusing'.

The list is written in a notebook by the stationers Dodds, containing 36 embossed pages (8vo), with handmade limp boards stitched together with a silk ribbon spine. The cover features the title, embossed border and a hand illustrated painted sketch of three chicks in a nest inside either a pod or a leaf. The title page, on pink wrapping paper, features a further embossed frame containing a painted sketch of an owl and three owlets. A further painting is found on the inner back cover of a parrot (or other exotic bird) with four chicks in a border made from small pressed leaves.

The list begins 'For Mamma', listing books for early or female education, followed by: 'Books of Amusement'; 'Natural History'; 'Books of Instruction'; 'Lessons Books'; and finally 'French Books'. Over 80 books are listed in total and in most cases, the publisher is also given, with Darton and Harris having the most frequent entries. In some cases, 'M.D.' also gives a suggested reading age.

An interesting preponderance of the works are by female authors and include: Anna Letitia Barbauld (1743-1825); Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849); Maria Hack (1777-1844); Christian Isobel Johnstone (1781-1857); Ann Taylor (1782-1866); Jane Taylor (1783-1824); Sarah Trimmer (1741-1810); and Lucy Sarah Atkins Wilson (1801-1863). Other popular authors include: John Aikin (1747-1822); Lindley Murray (1745-1826); and Thomas Wilson (1663-1755).

Note on dating: latest first publication date is 1829, entry given on verso leaf suggesting it may have been added in at a slightly later date to the main list.