The Picture Book in Nicaragua

Abstract

Nicaraguan publications for children have been scarcely analyzed by literary critics. In the last two decades, Nicaraguan children’s literature has had a visible growth, although, unlike what happens in other countries, the picture book has been introduced timidly in the national production. Some publications – without being ‘picture books’ in the whole sense of the term – can be distinguished by the dialogue they establish between text and images. This paper presents an analysis of illustrated books published since 1993 (when the association “Libros para Niños” was created) in order to identify some characteristics that approach them to the picture book. The national context and the future of the illustrated album, as seen by writers, illustrators and promoters of reading that opt for this type of book in Nicaragua, serves to contextualize the analysis.