Kids Books Celebrating Disability Pride

Updated June 8, 2026
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All of us : a first conversation about disability
Madison, Megan
Paper Book
Based on the research that race, gender, disability, and other important topics should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way. Developed by...
Aven Green, sleuthing machine
Bowling, Dusti
Paper Book
Third-grader Aven Green has been solving mysteries for a whole month--cracking such cases as The Mystery of the Cranky Mom. But can this perceptive detective solve two cases at the same time? First her teacher's lunch bag disappears. Then Aven's great-grandma's dog goes missing....
The bionic boy
Plourde, Lynn
Paper Book
The moving story of a superhero-loving boy born without hands who finds the hero inside himself Benji feels like he's had more than his fair share of good luck-so it's frustrating that his disability tends to make people think the opposite. Adopted from an overseas orphanage when...
Deer run home : a novel in verse
LeZotte, Ann Clare
Paper Book
Effie is Deaf, and no one in her family speaks sign language, her language. This moving story of survival and found family, inspired by a true court case and told in verse, is perfect for fans of Wonder and Out of My Mind. * "Quietly extraordinary." --...
Disability visibility : 17 first-person stories for today : adapted for young adults
Wong, Alice
Paper Book
Disabled young people will be proud to see themselves reflected in this hopeful, compelling, and insightful essay collection, adapted for young adults from the critically acclaimed adult book, Disability Visibility: First Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century that "sheds light on...
El deafo
Bell, Cece
Paper Book
Cece Bell's #1 New York Times Bestseller graphic novel El Deafo is the origin story of a student with hearing loss and a hearing aid becoming a superhero. A John Newbery Medal Winner Now an Apple+ Animated TV Series! ...
The fastest girl on Earth! : meet Kitty O'Neil, daredevil driver!
Robbins, Dean
Paper Book
Gear up for this high-powered picture book biography about Kitty O'Neil, the stuntwoman and racecar driver who broke the women's land speed record! Kitty O'Neil was a force to be reckoned with. She became deaf as a child, and grew up loving sports and action. Kitty jumped, ran,...
Fooled
Haas, Susan
Paper Book
In this fresh, funny, and fast-paced story, chaos ensues when the kids at a down-on-its-luck middle school come to believe that fake magic is the real deal! Magic loving, wheelchair user Lil Evers wishes she could start sixth grade at a real...
I hear the snow, I feel the sea
Milusich, Janice
Paper Book
In this lyrical picture book illustrated by a two-time Caldecott Medalist, share in a blind child's joyful experience of the changing seasons. A SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD HONOR Where I live, seasons change. I know because my fingers and toes, my ears, my...
Hummingbird
Lloyd, Natalie
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book From the bestselling author of A Snicker of Magic comes a heartfelt story about a girl who -- armed with her trusty, snazzy wheelchair -- refuses to let her brittle bone disease stand in the way of adventure Twelve...
Insignificant events in the life of a cactus
Bowling, Dusti
Paper Book
"Aven is a perky, hilarious, and inspiring protagonist whose attitude and humor will linger even after the last page has turned." --School Library Journal (Starred review) Aven Green loves to tell people that she lost her arms in an alligator...
Lila and Hadley
Keplinger, Kody
Paper Book
Can a lost girl save a found dog? Find out in this unforgettable story about discovering true friendship, finding home, and the possibilities of forgiveness. Hadley is angry about a lot of things: Her mom going to jail. Having to move to another state to live with her older sister,...
Listen : how Evelyn Glennie, a deaf girl, changed percussion
Stocker, Shannon
Paper Book
* Schneider Family Book Award Winner * A gorgeous and empowering picture book biography about Evelyn Glennie, a deaf woman, who became the first full-time solo percussionist in the world. A robust author's note brings further detail and highlights Evelyn's own voice. ...
A little like magic
Kurpiel, Sarah
Paper Book
Winner of the Schneider Book Award and glistening with winter charm, this is an exhilarating, tender story of pushing past your comfort zone and finding inspiration in art and natural beauty. Our young narrator doesn't like itchy hats or cold wind, and she especially doesn't like...
Mama car
Catchpole, Lucy
Paper Book
From author and disabled parent Lucy Catchpole, this gentle and accessible picture book celebrates a wonderful part of one child's life: her mother's wheelchair. I have a tricycle. Daddy has a big car. And Mama has a Mama Car.   ...
Mighty Mara
Ho, Carina
Paper Book
A young girl aspires to dance despite her disability. Welcome to Sametown where everyone and everything is...well...the same. Except Mara! She's a little different. She' bright. She's sunny. And, unlike her classmates who are all planning on performing a similar magic show act...
My ocean is blue
Lebeuf, Darren
Paper Book
'This is my ocean,' the young girl begins as she heads over the dunes with her mother. Then, as they pass the whole day at the seaside, she lyrically describes her ocean in simple, sensory detail. Nothing the girl experiences escapes her careful observation and appreciation. And at day's end, she...
Not so different : what you really want to ask about having a disability
Burcaw, Shane
Paper Book
Not So Different offers a humorous, relatable, and refreshingly honest glimpse into Shane Burcaw's life. Shane tackles many of the mundane and quirky questions that he's often asked about living with a disability, and shows readers that he's just as approachable, friendly, and funny as...
Out of my mind
Draper, Sharon M.
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller for three years and counting and now an original film on Disney+! "A gutsy, candid, and compelling story. It speaks volumes." --School Library Journal (starred review) "Unflinching and realistic." --Kirkus...
Rescue & Jessica : a life-changing friendship
Kensky, Jessica
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! A 2019 Schneider Family Book Award Winner Based on a real-life partnership, the heartening story of the love and teamwork between a girl and her service dog will illuminate and inspire. Rescue thought he'd grow up to be a...
Rewriting the rules : how Dr. Kathleen Friel created new possibilities for brain research and disability
Zeiger, Danna
Paper Book
When Kathleen Friel was young, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and a doctor told her parents all the things she'd never be able to do. They left his office for good and found a new doctor. As Kathleen grew up, she found her own methods to tackle tricky tasks and make her way...
Roll with it
Sumner, Jamie
Paper Book
"A big-hearted story that's as sweet as it is awesome." --R.J. Palacio, author of Wonder "An honest, emotionally rich take on disability, family, and growing up." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) In the tradition of Wonder and Out of My...
Rolling warrior : the incredible, sometimes awkward, true story of a rebel girl on wheels who helped spark a revolution
Heumann, Judith E.
Paper Book
Judy Heumann, one of the most influential disability rights activists in US history tells her story of fighting to belong. "If I didn't fight, who would?" Judy Heumann was only 5 years old when she was first denied her right to attend school. Paralyzed from...
A sky-blue bench
Rahman, Bahram
Paper Book
It's Afghan schoolgirl Aria's first day back at school since her accident. She's excited, but she's also worried about sitting on the hard floor all day with her new prosthetic "helper-leg." Just as Aria feared, sitting on the floor is so uncomfortable that she can't think about learning...
Song in the city
Bernstrom, Daniel
Paper Book
From Daniel Bernstrom, the acclaimed author of One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree, comes a charming and irresistibly fun picture book about a young blind girl and her grandmother who experience the vibrant everyday music of their busy city. A young girl, filled with the sounds of...
Splinter & Ash
Nijkamp, Marieke
Paper Book
"An essential middle grade fantasy where all readers will find heroes to love and to cheer!" --Alex London, author of Battle Dragons and The Princess Protection Program "Every kid deserves to see themselves as princesses or knights or whatever role they wish to play, and...
Wanda hears the stars : a blind astronomer listens to the universe
Hansen, Amy
Paper Book
A nonfiction picture book biography of astrophysicist Wanda Diaz Merced and how losing her sight didn't stop her from studying the stars. This 2026 Schneider Family Book Award winner is an inspiring true story of a woman scientist of color and a riveting, intersectional STEM read for...
We want to go to school! : the fight for disability rights
Cocca-Leffler, Maryann
Paper Book
A Junior Library Guild Selection February 2022 The true story of the people who helped make every public school a more inclusive place. There was a time in the United States when millions of children with disabilities weren't allowed to go to...
Whale eyes : a memoir about seeing and being seen
Robinson, James (Filmmaker)
Paper Book
From Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker James Robinson comes a breathtaking illustrated memoir for readers ages 10 and up-inspired by the viral, Emmy-nominated short film Whale Eyes. WINNER OF THE SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD . AN ORBIS PICTUS RECOMMENDED BOOK . A...
What happened to you?
Catchpole, James
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor book! This accessible, funny, and groundbreaking story addresses the questions children often ask, as well as a disabled child's choice not to answer. What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar?...
I will dance
Flood, Bo
Paper Book
This poetic and uplifting picture book illustrated by the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of We Are the Gardeners by Joanna Gaines follows a young girl born with cerebral palsy as she pursues her dream of becoming a dancer. Like many young girls, Eva longs...
You're so amazing!
Catchpole, James
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor book! ​In this authentic and humorous picture book, a child with a limb difference is tired of being told how amazing he is for doing normal things. Joe and his friend Simone are practicing their best playground...

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