Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820–1891), one of the leading figures of the Bengal Renaissance, made a remarkable contribution to the development of Bengali prose, education, and children’s literature. His Barnaparichay, published in two parts in 1855, occupies a distinctive and enduring position in the history of Bengali language education. The work introduced a systematic, accessible, and child-friendly approach to learning Bengali letters, words, sentences, and basic moral values. Beyond its function as a primer, Barnaparichay reflects Vidyasagar’s progressive educational philosophy, linguistic clarity, rational outlook, and deep concern for the intellectual development of children. Its simple language, carefully structured lessons, and pedagogical effectiveness contributed significantly to its widespread acceptance among Bengali-speaking communities. Even after more than two centuries since Vidyasagar’s birth, Barnaparichay continues to remain culturally and educationally relevant. The present paper examines the historical significance, linguistic characteristics, pedagogical principles, literary value, and continuing influence of Barnaparichay in Bengali education and children’s literature.