Although I often write about parenting from a social justice perspective, I realized there is a major gap in my writing. I have done very little thinking about the rights of people with disabilities and how children can unlearn disability.
If you’re new to the term ableism, it’s all the beliefs, behaviors, and laws in our society that devalue and discriminate against people with disabilities.
You are reading: Children’s books with disabled characters
following the fantastic blog raising luminaries: children’s books, written by ashia ray, who is autistic, made me think more about how disability affects children (both those with a disability like those who don’t). she also had our son enroll in a new school, one that has a higher than average number of students with disabilities.
I am starting my learning with my son where I almost always start with a problem of justice: reading books together.
In this post you will find 21 children’s books about disability or featuring disabled characters. you’ll see that I generally don’t use “person’s first language” in this post. you can find an explanation of this choice here.
Disclosure: For your convenience, this post includes affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I received a free copy of Together Things from the publisher in exchange for my honest review; all are my opinions. you can read my full disclosure policy here.
children’s books on disability (illustrated fiction books)
mom zooms by jane cowen-fletcher
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A cheerful boy tells us how his mom uses her “zoom machine” to zoom in on them everywhere. in her wheelchair, they can move across the lawn, while the boy pretends to be a racehorse. the best place to zoom is on the ramps, where both mom and child can stretch out their arms and feel like they’re flying.
There are very few children’s books about disabled parents. This book, based on the life of the author’s sister, defies stereotypes about disability by showing mom doing the same fun things with her son that an able-bodied parent would, with her wheelchair only adding to the joy they experience together. (recommended for children 2 to 5 years old)
related post: 13 #ownvoices books for young children
just ask: be different, be brave, be you by sonia sotomayor and rafael lópez
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Just Ask is one of the most popular children’s books on disability, both because of its author, a Supreme Court Justice, and because it gives examples of so many disabilities.
justice sotomayor shares how she has lived with diabetes since childhood and while she knew other children were curious why she was injecting insulin, they never asked.
Each page introduces a new character, who shares about their disability, followed by a question that children without disabilities can relate to. For example, Madison, who is blind, asks readers how they use her senses.
one thing that disappointed me about the book is that sotomayor never uses the word handicapped or disability. many people with disabilities (although certainly not all) will tell you that their disability is an important part of their identity that they want to acknowledge. (Recommended for ages 4 to 8 years. Author diabetic.)
moses goes to an isaac millman concert
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One of the ways we can challenge disability is by thinking about how disabled children can participate in the experiences that non-disabled children do, when we make the appropriate accommodations. This children’s book on disability is a great example of that!
Moses loves playing his drum. although he cannot hear the sound because he is deaf, he can feel the vibration of the drum in his hand. he is excited to go to a concert with his classmates, who are also deaf. His teacher promises them that there will be a big surprise, and they can’t wait to find out what it is!
The book also features American Sign Language at the bottom of each page, with Moses teaching key words and phrases from the story. (recommended for ages 4 to 8)
stuff together by michelle vasiliu and gwynneth jones
Most children’s books on disability focus on disabilities that are visible. There are few children’s books about mental illness, but this simple story helps fill that gap. first, we learn about all the things a little girl loved to do with her dad, from flying high on swings to “taming wild animals” (like crickets), but since dad is sick in the head, she can’t do it . those things never again.
Mom tells her that Dad is going to see a special doctor and she hopes he will get better. but she also has a lot of her own great feelings to deal with about her illness. Together, they discover new things to do as he improves.
This book sparked important conversations with my son about how mental illness affects people, including my own experience with an anxiety disorder. (Recommended for ages 3-7. Author with mental illness.)
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me and my three best friends, zulay de cari best and vanessa brantley-newton
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zulay and her friends love to sing and dance. she also loves her new pink shoes and she dreams of running so fast in them that she will feel like a bird spreading her wings.
so when her teacher announces a picnic is coming up, she knows she wants to run in her new pink shoes. her other classmates are surprised by her announcement since zulay is blind. but another teacher knows that once zulay learns to use her new cane on the track, she will be able to join the race. (recommended for ages 5-9)
silent lotus by jeanne m. lee
The anti-ableism message of this children’s book on disability is powerful. A long time ago in Cambodia, a girl named Lotus brought her parents great joy. When they realized that Lotus was deaf, they prayed that the gods would take away her misfortune.
Although your daughter finds happiness in nature, the other children ignore her attempts at friendship. In her concern, her parents decide to visit the temple in the city. His visit changes the perspective of the parents and the life of Lotus. (recommended for ages 5-9)
children’s books on disability (non-fiction picture books)
i speak like a river of jordan scott and sydney smith
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One day, Jordan Scott’s father picked him up from school after a “bad talking day” and took him to the river. Pointing to the water, his father said, “Do you see how that water moves, son? that’s how you talk While most people considered his stutter to be unnatural, this moment helped Scott understand his speech in a different way.
This moving picture book tells children their story. when he has to speak at school, the other children do not listen to his ways of speaking that connect him with nature. they only hear that he does not speak like them. When the teacher gives him the task to tell the class about his favorite place, his father helps him to understand his kinship with the bubbling, churning and roaring river. (recommended for authors ages 3-7 with speech impairments).
Related Post: Twenty Children’s Books by First Nations and Native American Authors
my traveling eye by jenny sue kostecki-shaw
I love this book; (might be my favorite on this list of children’s books on disability!) challenges the stereotype that there are no benefits to being disabled. my travelin’ eye tells the author’s own story of how she was treated for a lazy, traveling eye at the age of 7.
Although she doesn’t like being teased by other kids at school, Jenny knows that having a wandering eye has many benefits. even when jenny receives treatment for her eye, she resists the idea that she has a broken eye. my favorite line from the book may be the last: “my wandering eye still wanders sometimes, but that is the true nature of an artist: to see the world in his own unique way.”
Jenny’s illustrations are quirky, expressive, imaginative and definitely challenge the way we see the world. (Recommended for ages 4-9. Author with strabismus.)
Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson and Sean Qualls
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When emmanuel ofosu yeboah was a baby, many people dismissed what he could do. that’s because she was born with only one strong leg. But Emmanuel’s mother had faith that she could still find a way to make her way in the world, despite all the obstacles for disabled people in Ghana.
As a child, Emmanuel discovered how to do many things that other children did, from playing soccer to even riding a bike with his one strong leg.
When his mother got sick, he knew he had to travel to the city to earn money for his family. She often ran into people who assumed she just wanted to beg from them. But Emmanuel was determined to show them that “being disabled didn’t mean not being able to.”
so, emmanuel decided to go on an incredible journey, riding his bike for 400 miles through ghana, in just 10 days. His activism continues to challenge many people’s ideas about what people with physical disabilities can do.
Note: If you have a young child who is particularly sensitive, you may want to choose different children’s disability books to read (at least until they are a little older). I read it to my son when he was four years old. and the fact that emmanuel’s mother died saddened him so much that he didn’t want to read the book again. (recommended for ages 4 to 9)
not so different: what you really want to ask about having a disability by shane burcaw and matt carr
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Shane Burcaw, who lives with spinal muscular atrophy, is used to getting lots of stares and questions from kids. he created this book to answer his questions in a direct way. the book is very funny in many places, something people don’t expect from children’s books about disability.
Shane’s honesty and humor, combined with wacky photos of him and his family, challenge able-bodied kids’ assumptions that they should feel sorry for someone like Shane. instead, they get to see all the things shane can do, alone, with the help of family, and using his amazing motorized wheelchair. (Recommended for ages 4-10. Author with spinal muscular atrophy.)
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rescue and jessica: a life-changing friendship by jessica kensky, patrick downes and scott magoon
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This is the author’s true story of adjusting to life with prosthetic limbs after she was injured in the boston marathon bombing. (the bombing is not mentioned in the story).
Jessica is worried about how different life will be with prosthetic legs. the rescue isn’t sure he’s up to the task of being a service dog.
While Jessica deals with her frustration at how difficult it is to learn to walk again, she meets a friend’s service dog and realizes how much it could help her.
once rescue and jessica are paired up, jessica figures out how to do the things she used to do before she got hurt. As their friendship grows, kids can see how both Rescue and Jessica need each other. (recommended for ages 4 to 8)
i am not a label: 34 disabled artists, thinkers, athletes, and activists past and present by cerrie burnell and laruen mark baldo
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In her introduction, Burnell points out that one in four people have a disability, but their stories are often ignored. This non-fiction children’s book describing disabled leaders is a must-have for elementary classrooms.
burnell’s moving introduction speaks of his own childhood and not being able to find disabled heroes to look up to in the books he read. Ella’s book provides important mirrors and windows, introducing readers to the fascinating stories of Stephen Hawking, Frida Kahlo, Stella Young, Henri Matisse, and many more. (Recommended for ages 8-12. author with limb discrepancy).
Related Post: Best Diverse & Social Justice Children’s Books of 2020
thank you mr. falker by patricia polacco
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It’s no surprise that the prolific patrician polacco author grew up loving books. what many do not know about her is that she struggled a lot with dyslexia. As other children learned to read and she still couldn’t, Trisha began to feel silly.
developed coping strategies to hide the fact that he couldn’t read. But every time he had to read aloud in class, she faced cruel teasing and bullying from his classmates. it wasn’t until a kind teacher named mr. Falker stepped in so Trisha could see her own talent and bravery, gifts that equipped her to learn to read, with her help. (Recommended for ages 7 to 11. Dyslexic author).
books for children with autism (fiction and non-fiction picture books)
benji, me and the bad day by sally j. pla and ken min
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sammy is having a terrible day, he gets in trouble at school and has to walk home in the rain. but his mom doesn’t seem to notice her, she just lets him know that benji is in her box. Benji is autistic. when he’s in his box, that means he’s had a bad day too and shouldn’t be bothered).
See Also: 8 Most Effective Nutrition Guidebooks For Muscle Building – Toast Fried
The box is only big enough for Benji, but Sammy wishes he had one for times like this. Or that Mom would do something special to help him feel better, like she often does with Benji after challenging occupational therapy sessions. But when one more thing pushes Sammy to the brink of tears, it’s Benji who takes notice and comes to the rescue. (Recommended for ages 3 to 7 years. Neurodivergent author.)
the girl who thought in images: the story of dr. temple grandin by julia finley fly and daniel rieley
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As an autistic child, future scientist Temple Grandin saw the world differently from other children. many people did not understand that being autistic made the temple “different, not less.” so his mother decided that time at his aunt’s ranch would give him a much-needed break from the bullying.
It was there that temple first developed her empathy for cows, who were also visual thinkers like her. her understanding of her animals helped her advance livestock science to become more humane.
This book of rhymes not only teaches children about life in the temple, but also reminds them to celebrate the different ways our brains can work. (recommended for ages 4 to 8)
it was supposed to be sunny by samantha cotterill
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samantha cotterill, who is autistic, has written a collection of books for autistic children and children with sensory issues. she says these are the books she wished she had when she was a child.
In this volume, laila is excited for her birthday party, which she promised her friends will be full of glitter and sunshine. when a thunderstorm approaches, her mom helps laila get over her disappointment and figure out how to make an indoor party fun.
but when a lot of things start to go wrong, laila wants to send everyone home. can you continue the party? (recommended for ages 3-7. autistic author).
related publication: diverse and inclusive picture books about families
Illustrated books starring disabled characters
hello, bye, dog, by maria gianferrari and patrice barton
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Usually the books that excite me at the scholastic book fair are few and far between (sorry I’m a book snob!), but when I saw this one a few years ago, I was thrilled to donate it. to my son’s classroom.
zara’s moose dog hates being apart from her. he’s always ready to greet her, showing up at school in all sorts of places where he’s not welcome. Although Moose is always well behaved, each and every time, he has to say goodbye to Zara and her friends after a few minutes.
finally, zara has an idea of how moose won’t have to say goodbye anymore. first, he will have to go to her own school, so that he can start being invited to hers.
I love that Zara is shown going through her normal day in this book using her wheelchair, without the book being about her using a wheelchair. this is a way to normalize disability for children! (recommended for children from 3 to 7 years old)
Related Post: 12 Anonymous Social Justice Activists Kids Should Know
king for a day by rukhsana khan and christiane krömer
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This is a truly unique children’s book starring a disabled character. Malik, a boy living in Lahore, Pakistan, looks forward to the spring festival of Basant all year long. People from all over the city will test his kite-flying skills and Malik knows that he will be the king of the festival. however, his brother and his sister are surprised by the small size of his falcon kite.
However, with malik’s ability, the falcon is quick enough to capture the huge and expensive flag of the thug who has insulted his sister. Soon his experience gives her another chance to show compassion to a little boy on the street below.
i love the way malik and his kite are the heroes of the story, defying the stereotype that disabled people are incapable of defending themselves or others. (recommended for children 5 to 9 years old).
Related post: 12 children’s books that inspire compassion and empathy
books with chapters on disability
cece bell’s deaf
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This graphic novel was one of my son’s favorite books when he was around 7 years old. In The Deaf, author Cece Bell offers children a window into her own childhood. after contracting meningitis at age 4, cece becomes profoundly deaf. her struggle to understand, but especially to be understood by other children, shines through the pages.
Although the subject matter is serious, the book is packed with laugh-out-loud humor (including plenty of bathroom jokes kids will love). Cece’s alternate identity as a superhero named The Deaf helps her deal with the sense of loneliness that follows her during her early years of deafness.
Her annoyance with friends who insist on slow, exaggerated speech or who refer to her as their “deaf friend” can easily lead to conversations with children about microaggressions. (recommended for ages 7 to 12, #ownvoices)
related post: 12 diverse & inclusive graphic novels for children from 7 to 12 years old
as brave as you by jason reynolds
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It’s hard to do this remarkable book justice in a short review. The title As Brave As You could refer to either of the main characters: two brothers named Genie and Ernie, or their grandfather.
With their parents on their first trip alone since their honeymoon, Genie and Ernie from New York Kids will spend a month with their grandparents in rural Virginia. Genie hasn’t even met his grandfather before, and is shocked when he discovers that Grandpa is blind. How can he cook like he does, choose his matching clothes, and above all, how does he hide his blindness so well?
As Grandpop gradually opens up to Genie, he discovers even more secrets he’s been keeping. one secret in particular turns out to be why the genie’s father barely speaks to grandfather. During their time together, can they help each other find the courage they need? (Recommended for ages 10-14).
Tip: As you search for other children’s books about disabilities, I encourage you to read Ashia’s guide to what makes a story about disabled characters powerful and not patronizing.
See Also: 7 best Childrens Book Illustration Styles in 2022 | Prayan Animation