6 Children's Books with Disability-Inclusive Storylines and Why Books like These Matter

Children’s books play a crucial role in a child's development by enhancing their language skills, fostering imagination, building empathy, introducing new concepts, promoting critical thinking, and providing a foundation for lifelong literacy, all while creating a bonding experience between a child and caregiver through shared reading time. (NCBLA, Aug 2021)

Here in the United States, we have seen diversity and inclusive representation in children’s literature increase substantially over the past several decades, with many books featuring characters of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. However, diversity, of course, extends beyond the color of someone’s skin or their ethnicity.

In recent years, more and more children’s authors have begun publishing books featuring characters with disabilities and physical differences. This is important progress for the disability community for multiple reasons. First and foremost, it’s affirming for children with disabilities. All children deserve to see themselves represented in the stories they read. Children with disabilities can now read stories where a character just like them goes on a great adventure, experiences whimsy and magic or even saves the day. Disability-inclusive children’s stories also help non-disabled children develop understanding and empathy for others who are different from themselves. Stories featuring characters with disabilities or physical differences can help a child step into their shoes, see life from their perspective and ultimately normalize the fact that no two individuals are the same or have the same ability level.

Below is a list of award-winning children’s books that feature characters with disabilities and/or physical differences:

• A Little Like Magic by Sarah Kurpiel- A children’s picture book about pushing past your comfort zone and finding inspiration in art and natural beauty. In the story, a child who uses a motorized wheelchair reluctantly joins her mom at an ice sculptor festival, where she is dazzled by the “magic” of the ice art. (Schneider Family Book Awards winner)
• Monster Hands by Karen Kane and Jonaz McMillan- A children’s picture book about two best friends using rhyming ASL to help vanquish their fear of the monster under the bed. (Schneider Family Book Awards honoree)
• You’re SO Amazing by James and Lucy Catchpole- A children’s picture book where a child with a limb difference is tired of being told how amazing he is for doing normal things. This book addresses the assumptions people make about those with disabilities in an accessible, honest, and funny way. (Schneider Family Book Awards honoree)
• Popcorn by Rob Harrell- A children’s middle-grade book about a boy coping with anxiety and OCD during a tough day at school. (Schneider Family Book Awards winner)
• Chronically Dolores by Maya Van Wagenen- A teen and young adult fiction book about a girl coping with the recent diagnosis of a chronic disorder who develops a life-changing friendship with a girl with autism. (Schneider Family Book Awards winner)
• On the Bright Side by Anna Sortino- A teen and young adult fiction book about two high schoolers who navigate love, disability, and the inevitability of change together. (Schneider Family Book Awards honoree)

Finding books, movies, TV shows, and other forms of media that your child enjoys and identifies with can be challenging for any parent. This can be especially challenging for parents of children with special needs. National Care Advisors’ Nurse Consultants can provide professional consulting, advocacy and support catered to your child’s unique needs, goals and desires. Whether it is identifying disability-appropriate books and movies, arranging activities and entertainment or vocational and socialization support, NCA can help. Contact us today to learn more!