Picture Books where the Setting is a Character

This is a curated list of recently published picture books where the setting is a character. In most of them, the setting is the main character. These picture books featuring settings as characters have been published in the last five years.

Picture Books where the Setting is a Character published in 2023

The Little Blue Cottage by Kelly Jordan

Tokyo Night Parade by J.P. Takahashi

The Tree and the River by

Picture Books where the Setting is a Character published in 2022

Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall

Little Houses by Kevin Henkes

Picture Books where the Setting is a Character published in 2021

Time for Bed, Old House by Janet Costa Bates

Picture Books where the Setting is a Character published in 2020

The Blue House by Phoebe Wahl

Julia’s House Moves On by Ben Hatke

The Noisy Classroom by Angela Shanté

Southwest Sunrise by Nikki Grimes

Swashby by the Sea by Beth Ferry

Picture Books where the Setting is a Character published in 2019

Home is a Window by Stephanie Ledyard 

Picture Books where the Setting is a Character published over 5 years ago

2018 – Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall

2018 – Ocean Meets Sky by Terry Fan and Eric Fan

2014 – Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett

Bonus Picture Books with Setting as a Character

2012 – The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

2009 – All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon

2009 – The Curious Garden by Peter Brown


Fun fact: Purchasing the books using the amazon affiliate links above helps me keep The KidLit Curator curated. Not an amazon user, or want to support indie bookstores instead? You can find this exact booklist on bookshop.org by clicking on the books below.


Contact me below to inquire about adding a TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED book to this list.