Get cosy with a book: our favourite reads featuring disability and difference 

Kindness, difference, inclusion & diversity are all themes explored in some of these beautiful books for young readers. 

Different, a Great Thing to Be

Macy is a girl who’s a lot like you and me, but she’s also quite different, which is a great thing to be. With kindness, grace, and bravery, Macy finds her place in the world, bringing beauty and laughter wherever she goes and leading others to find delight in the unique design of every person.

This joyful rhyming book will show children to appreciate and celebrate each person’s unique qualities.

Out of My Heart

A follow up to the beautiful and hugely popular Out of My Mind, Melody, is now a year older and a year braver. But not as brave as she wants to be, as she’s terrified of horses. Even though she loves horses—loves loves loves them—from afar. Not one to be thwarted, Melody decides summer camp, one with horseback riding, should be her next challenge. Except, are there even riding camps for differently-abled kids? Ones that would welcome a kid with cerebral palsy? She’s going to find out.

All my Stripes: A story for children with Autism

““Nobody gets me, Mama!”” 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!

I Will Always be Proud of You

“Stunning,” “beautiful,” and “perfect” are how customers and critics describe this inspiring children’s picture book of unconditional love.

The timeless story empowers children to be the best they can be. It explores the many wonderful possibilities in life, and reassures children that they will be loved unconditionally whatever they choose to be.

The inspirational story is beautifully illustrated with diverse and inclusive characters.

A Day with No Words

A Day With No Words invites readers into the life of an Autism Family who communicates just as the child does, without spoken language.

This colourful and engaging picture book for young readers shares what life can look like for families who use nonverbal communication, utilising tools to embrace their unique method of “speaking.” The story highlights the bond between mother and child and follows them on a day where they use a tablet to communicate with others.

Just Ask

US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and award-winning artist Rafael Lopez create a kind and caring book about the differences that make each of us unique. 

Justice Sotomayor writes about children with all sorts of challenges–and looks at the special powers those kids have as well. As the kids work together to build a community garden, asking questions of each other along the way, this book encourages readers to do the same: When we come across someone who is different from us but we’re not sure why, all we have to do is Just Ask.

The Invisible Boy

A gentle story that teaches how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish, from esteemed author and speaker Trudy Ludwig and acclaimed illustrator Patrice Barton.

Meeting Mimi: A story about different abilities

Mimi is new at school, and everyone is excited to get to know her! Join Mimi’s classmates as they learn about her different abilities, appreciate diversity, and most of all? Make a new friend.

The Boy with Big, Big Feelings

The Boy with Big, Big Feelings is relatable for any child — especially for a child experiencing anxiety, extreme emotions, a child identified as a Highly Sensitive Person, or a child on the autism spectrum. Beautifully illustrated and written in rhyming verse, children and adults explore the whole spectrum of feelings and readers navigate the emotional challenges they face throughout the day.

When Charley Met Emma

When Charley goes to the playground and sees Emma, a girl with limb differences who gets around in a wheelchair, he doesn’t know how to react at first. But after he and Emma start talking, he learns that different isn’t bad, sad, or strange–different is just different, and different is great! This delightful book will help kids think about disability, kindness, and how to behave when they meet someone who is different from them.

Ricky, the Rock that Couldn’t Roll

From zippy little pebbles to big strong boulders, the rock friends get together to play and roll around their favorite hill, only to find that one of their friends, Ricky, can’t roll with them. Unlike all of the other rocks, who are all round, Ricky can’t roll because he’s flat on one side.

Determined not to leave their friend behind, the rocks set out to help Ricky roll – one way or another.

Zoom!

Finally it’s time for Lauretta to get a new wheelchair. But she isn’t satisfied with a regular 5- or 10- speed model. Nothing will do but the 92-speed, black, silver and red, dirt bike wheelchair! When Lauretta gets a speeding ticket during her one-day tryout of the super wheels, her parents tell her the wheelchair has to go back. But when her brother has an accident, only Lauretta and her 92-speed, black, silver and red, dirt-bike wheelchair can get him to the hospital in time!