Inclusive settings in children’s picture books: narratives in urban environments, nature and fantasy

Abstract

A picture book is an essential tool in early reading because of a child’s ability at an early age to follow narratives through images. This study examines the crucial role of urban settings in contemporary picture books, highlighting their role in promoting inclusion and diversity. The analysis focuses on a sample of 55 picture books published in Spanish since 2016, exploring how the settings reflect various categories of disadvantaged groups: Gender equality, Multiculturalism, Disability, “Being different” and Older adults. The study reveals that while some picture books use white backgrounds to emphasize characters, most incorporate settings that enrich the narrative and represent diversity. These settings often play a crucial role in conveying emotional states, describing environments, and structuring stories. Fantasy emerges as a vital tool for addressing complex themes and making everyday narratives more engaging. The findings suggest that the urban settings in these picture books reflect efforts to depict inclusive and sustainable cities, although challenges remain in increasing the visibility of cultural complexity and certain disabilities in society.