Books for young readers that feature disability
These books not only support and develop understanding of difference but also provide important representation for children with special needs. Do you have any favourites to add to our list?
Wonder is the unforgettable story of August Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face. With over 5 million copies sold, Wonder is a true modern classic, a life-changing read, and has inspired kindness and acceptance in countless readers. Now younger readers can discover the Wonder message with this gorgeous picture book, starring Auggie and his dog Daisy on an original adventure, written and illustrated by R.J. Palacio.
With spare, powerful text and richly-imagined illustrations, We’re All Wonders shows readers what it’s like to live in Auggie’s world – a world in which he feels like any other kid, but he’s not always seen that way.
We’re All Wonders taps into every child’s longing to belong, and to be seen for who they truly are. It’s the perfect way for families and teachers to talk about empathy, difference and kindness with young children.
Zane is different to other kids. He has his own made-up language. He likes to line things up. And he is frightened of things that don’t seem to bother other people — like the colour black.
His father gets frustrated and angry with Zane. His mother tries hard to explain things to him. But nothing seems to work. Zane just scrunches himself up into a ball and screams. Things are looking pretty bleak for Zane and his family; that is, until Zane’s big sister starts to draw a chalk rainbow at the top of the front steps … The Chalk Rainbow explores difference and diversity through a family living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It’s also a story of unconditional love, of trust and of learning to look at the world through the eyes of others.
Max is mad about sport. As he gets up, has breakfast and heads off to school, he is dreaming of competing in world class sporting events. In his real day, he and his class win the school football match and, in his imagination, he and his friends are winning the World Cup.
This is a lively and fun approach to sport, and a very inclusive picture book showing disabled children and children without disabilities enjoying different sports together in a natural way. The sports include football, rugby, athletics, cricket, diving, discus throwing and cycling.
My big sister Clemmie is my best friend. She can’t walk, talk, move around much, cook macaroni, pilot a plane, juggle or do algebra. I don’t know why she doesn’t do these things. Just because.’ Just Because tells of a brother’s love for his sister. He is so enthusiastic about just how loving and special she is, and delights in telling us about all the fun things they do together. Only as his tale unfolds does the reader begin to realise that his sister has special needs… and by then we just accept as he does all the wonderful things about her.
Rebecca Elliott’s heart-warming picture book, much celebrated for its touching and sensitive approach to introducing the issue of disability to young children through a charming celebration of sibling friendship, is now more accessible to a younger audience. In a sturdy board book format, Just Because will withstand story time after story time, the chunky pages are easier for little children to turn themselves, and it can certainly survive being shared between siblings!
Doubles are good for lots of things—double scoops of ice cream, double features at the movies. But double vision is NOT a good kind of double. In fact, it can make kindergarten kind of hard. Ginny sees double chairs at reading circle and double words in her books. She knows that only half of what she sees is real, but which half? The solution to her problem is wondrously simple: an eye patch! Ginny becomes the pirate of kindergarten.With the help of her pirate patch, Ginny can read, run, and even snip her scissors with double the speed! Vibrant illustrations from Lynne Avril capture the realities of what Ginny sees both before and after.
Every child is special. Whether it is a child’s bright red hair, or picture perfect dimples; a boy’s powerful line drives, or a girl’s angelic choir solo, each child stands out form the rest in his or her own way. Sometimes a child’s uniqueness isn’t so accepted by his or her peers. Maybe they have never seen it. Maybe they are afraid of it. Maybe they just need to learn more about it.
This story is about a little boy, Reed, who is very different than most little children. Reed has a severe speech disorder, Apraxia, which leaves him almost completely unintelligible to his peers. This story is told from the viewpoint of his older sister, as she is well aware of his challenges and his triumphs. Instead of exclusively focusing on what Reed is unable to do, this story portrays the many things he can do with his peers. ”My Brother is Very Special” gently teaches young children about acceptance in a way that they can developmentally understand. With developmentally appropriate text and bright, whimsical illustrations, ”My Brother is Very Special” is perfect for all young children.
Different Like Me – My Book of Autism Heroes
Different Like Me introduces children aged 8 to 12 years to famous, inspirational figures from the world of science, art, math, literature, philosophy and comedy.
Eight-year-old Quinn, a young boy with Asperger’s Syndrome, tells young readers about the achievements and characteristics of his autism heroes, from Albert Einstein, Dian Fossey and Wassily Kandinsky to Lewis Carroll, Benjamin Banneker and Julia Bowman Robinson, among others. All excel in different fields, but are united by the fact that they often found it difficult to fit in-just like Quinn.
Fully illustrated in colour and written in child-friendly language, this book will be a wonderful resource for children, particularly children with autism, their parents, teachers, carers and siblings.
I See Things Differently (A First Look at Autism)
This book will help children understand what autism is and how it affects someone who has it. A wonderful catalyst for discussion that will help children to better understand and support autistic classmates or siblings. The story line is simple and easily accessible to younger children, who will learn that exploring the personal feelings around social issues is a first step in dealing with them. Full-colour illustrations on every page.
Susan laughs, she sings, she rides, she swings. She gets angry, she gets sad, she is good, she is bad. In fact, Susan is the same as any other child. It is only when we turn the last page that we discover that Susan is in a wheelchair – a revelation that paves the way for discussion about an important issue.
Narrated by a young boy – David – whose brother is born with a disability this is a realistic compassionate tale about how family life typically focuses on the needs of a child with a disability and the effects that can have on the other kids in the family.
Based on the lives of two sisters, this story expresses the challenges and joys of growing up with a sibling who has special needs. In many ways, Rachel and Alicia are like any sisters, but Rachel knows her sister is very different and very special because she has Down syndrome. Though Rachel occasionally feels frustrations and resentment about having to help watch over her sister, she most often feels love, acceptance, and pride for her. Exquisitely written with humour and compassion, this story focuses on the sisters’ relationship and their respective places in the family.
Daniel Tiger makes a new friend in this charming new 8×8 storybook based on a popular episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood”! Daniel and Miss Elaina are visiting Prince Wednesday’s castle for a play date. When they arrive they are so excited to meet a new friend–Prince Wednesday’s cousin, Chrissie! Daniel has so much fun playing with his new friend! Then he notices that Chrissie wears braces on her legs to help her walk. Even though Chrissie may walk differently than Daniel, she loves the colour red and playing pretend just as much as he does! Daniel is thrilled to make a wonderful new friend! This delightful story is perfect for helping little ones understand that despite small differences, anyone can become a new friend!
Being different in life does not have to be an obstacle, and in A Different Little Doggy, this tiny little dog named Taz sees benefits to being small and is comfortable with who she is. A Different Little Doggy is a heart warming story teaching children ages 4 to 8 important lessons about acceptance and friendship through colourful, lively illustrations and a rhyming story line. An award winning book, it’s a true, inspirational story of a disabled dog whose story teaches children (and adults) it’s OK to be themselves.
In All My Stripes , Zane the zebra feels different from the rest of his classmates. He worries that all they notice about him is his autism stripe. With the help of his Mama, Zane comes to appreciate all his stripes – the unique strengths that make him who he is! Includes a Reading Guide with additional background information about autism spectrum disorders.
