Children's books about differing abilities

Books that showcase different abilities and disabilities in a way children will understand or relate to.

A few topics included: hearing impaired, visually impaired, anxiety, PTSD, wheelchair users, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, ADHD, limb differences, service animals, dyslexia, learning disabilities, autism.

Updated June 19, 2023
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Davidson County Public Library Davidson County Public Library
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Children's books about differing abilities

Books that showcase different abilities and disabilities in a way children will understand or relate to.

A few topics included: hearing impaired, visually impaired, anxiety, PTSD, wheelchair users, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, ADHD, limb differences, service animals, dyslexia, learning disabilities, autism.

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My friend Suhana
Abdullah, Shaila 1971-
Paper Book
A True Story of Friendship and Winner of the Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award Award-winning author and designer Shaila Abdullah teams up with her 10-year-old daughter Aanyah to bring you this heartwarming tale of a little girl who forms a close bond with a child with...
Yes I can! : a girl and her wheelchair
Barrett, Kendra J.
Paper Book
First-grader Carolyn is in a wheelchair, but she doesn't let that stop her! She can do almost everything the other kids can, even if sometimes she has to do it a little differently. Includes a Note to Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers with more information on discussing disabilities with...
Aaron Slater, illustrator
Beaty, Andrea
CD
Big truck playdate
Carmody, Laurie
Paper Book
Corey went everywhere with his trucks. But when it came to other kids, he rode solo. When Corey's school hosts a semi-truck extravaganza, his tires squeal and his heart revs. He can't believe it! But the crowd of classmates quickly leaves him feeling overwhelmed. Corey must find the...
Poojo's got wheels
Charrow (Illustrator)
Paper Book
Look at Poojo go! This adorable dog was born without back legs, but that's OK--because Poojo's got wheels. What a good dog Poojo is! He's a great friend to everyone and everything (pigeons and scooters included). He's creative and clever (how many other dogs can pop a wheelie?)....
Can I play too?
Cotterill, Samantha
Paper Book
Friendship--and trains!--take center stage in this gentle, inviting story about paying attention to other people's feelings. Two boys' fun train-track-building project takes a turn when one of the boys obliviously insists on only doing things his way. Their disagreement spells...
It was supposed to be sunny
Cotterill, Samantha
Paper Book
A perfectly planned birthday party goes awry in this gentle story about adapting to the unexpected, written for kids on the autism spectrum and called "brilliant" and "engaging" by autism specialist Tony Attwood Laila feels like her sparkly sunshine birthday celebration is on the...
Mama zooms
Cowen-Fletcher, Jane
Paper Book
A boy's wonderful mama takes him zooming everywhere with her, because her wheelchair is a zooming machine.
My friend has Down syndrome
Doering, Amanda F.
Paper Book
My friend Sarah has a disability called Down Syndrome. But that doesn't matter to us. We tell jokes and laugh, go to ballet class together, and have a lot of fun. I'm glad Sarah is my friend!
Meeting Mimi : a story about different abilities
Dolan, Francie
Paper Book
Introduce your child to the magic of reading, friendship, and inclusion with the children's book 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...
If you're so smart, how come you can't spell Mississippi?
Esham, Barbara.
Paper Book
Katie is keen observer and a curious third grader. So when her dad explains why he finds spelling difficult, Katie wants to investigate. She learns that her very intelligent dad, a lawyer, has dyslexia probably like a couple of Katie's classmates. Expressive line and wash illustrations enhance the...
Mrs. Gorski, I think I have the wiggle fidgets
Esham, Barbara.
Paper Book
A must-have ADHD book for kids of all ages. The Adventures of Everyday Geniuses is meant to demonstrate various forms of learning, creativity, and intelligence. Each book introduces a realistic example of triumph over difficulty in a positive, humorous way that readers of all ages will...
This is Ella
Ewert, Krista
Paper Book
Ella is a happy, fun-loving girl who is just starting school. She knows all of her letters, helps take care of her little sister, and enjoys riding her blue bike. Sometimes she has to practice sitting still. Ella loves to play and is a good friend. Ella has Down syndrome. Though she...
Henry the boy
Felder, Molly
Paper Book
No matter how different we feel, we are all more similar than we at first appear. This is not a story about a heron or a robot or a chicken but an ordinary boy with daily struggles, triumphs, and an extraordinary imagination. Henry uses forearm crutches decorated with animal...
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...
A friend like Simon
Gaynor, Kate
Paper Book
Irish publishing house Special Stories Publishing in conjunction with Irish Autism Action has released an exciting and unique new children's book focusing on young children with Autism/ASD. The book is beautifully illustrated by Irish artist Caitriona Sweeney and is designed to introduce all...
Hello goodbye dog
Gianferrari, Maria
Paper Book
For Zara's dog, Moose, nothing is more important than being with his favorite girl. So when Zara has to go to school in her wheelchair, WHOOSH, Moose escapes and rushes to her side. Hello, Moose! Unfortunately, dogs aren't allowed at school and Moose has to go...
The push : a story of friendship
Gray, Patrick 1975-
Paper Book
When Marcus moved next door to John, they knew instantly they'd be friends. Now John and Marcus do almost everything together. They go on lots of adventures, with Marcus pushing John's wheelchair and John fueling their escapades with jokes. Through their friendship, the boys discover that their...
Dachy's deaf
Hughes, Jack
Paper Book
Dachy isn't embarrassed by his hearing aid, but sometimes his friends are so loud he has to turn it off. One day, he does just that to get some peace and quiet, but that's the last thing he ends up getting. The adventure that follows drives home the importance of listening to and caring for your...
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...
Jacob's eye patch
Kobliner, Beth 1965-
Paper Book
Being different can be hard. This funny, spirited story--written by bestselling author of Get a Financial Life Beth Kobliner Shaw with her son Jacob, and illustrated by award-winning picture book artist Jules Feiffer--encourages young readers to embrace the thing that makes...
The boy with big, big feelings
Lee, Britney Winn
Paper Book
An instant classic in the world of Social-Emotional Learning, this bestselling picture book tells the story of one little boy with some big, big emotions -- and how he learns to see them for the gifts they are. The Boy with Big, Big Feelingsis relatable for any child -- especially for a...
Ser valiente cada da̕
Ludwig, Trudy
Paper Book
Too sticky! : sensory issues with autism
Malia, Jen
Paper Book
Holly loves experiments but doesn't like sticky things--how will she make slime? Holly loves doing experiments and learning new things in science class! But when she finds out the next experience is making slime, she's worried. Slime is made with glue, and...
Ricky, the rock that couldn't roll
Miletsky, Jason I.
Paper Book
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....
Moses goes to a concert
Millman, Isaac
Paper Book
Isaac Millman tells Moses Goes to a Concert in pictures and written English, and in American Sign Language (ASL), introducing hearing children to the signs for some of the key words and ideas. Moses and his school friends are deaf, but like most children, they have a...
Curious George joins the team
Platt, Cynthia
Paper Book
Curious George has a playdate at a park designed for children of all abilities, perfect for his new friend, Tina, who uses a wheelchair. While they are playing together, Tina spots some kids playing her favorite game: basketball. George jumps right into the action, but Tina is...
You are a story
Raczka, Bob
Paper Book
The alphabet war : a story about dyslexia
Robb, Diane Burton.
Paper Book
Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College Why was reading so hard? When Adam started kindergarten, the teacher wanted him to learn about letters. But "p" looked like "q," and "b" looked like "d." Adam would rather color or mold clay. In first grade,...
I talk like a river
Scott, Jordan 1978-
Paper Book
Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winner A New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year What if words got stuck in the back of your mouth whenever you tried to speak? What if they never came out the way you wanted them to?
Caillou meets Sophie : a story about autism
Thompson, Kim 1964-
Paper Book
While playing at the park, Caillou meets Sophie, an autistic girl. She doesn't speak, doesn't like loud noises, but sees many beautiful things that other children usually don't notice. In her very own way, she communicates with Caillou. At her side, Caillou learns about the peculiarities of the...
You're all kinds of wonderful
Tillman, Nancy
Paper Book
We're not all the same. Thank goodness we're not. Life would be boring, and I mean... a lot. And so, when we're born, we're supplied at the start with our own bells and whistles to set us apart. Think of your bells as the things...
Hero at home
Verardo, Sarah
Paper Book
"As a pediatrician, I know kids need help processing the changes that come when a parent has an injury or illness. Hero at Home is a heartfelt, one-of-a-kind book that simply and beautifully explains to children the life of our wounded heroes and their families. This book is the perfect start to a...
Awesomely Emma
Webb, Amy 1977-
Paper Book
Fans of When Charley Met Emmawill love seeing Emma champion her inner awesomeness in this inspirational sequel that teaches readers about the power of self-advocacy. Emma has limb differences, but different isn't bad, sad, or strange. It's just different! But when some accessibility...
When Charley met Emma
Webb, Amy 1977-
Paper Book
Winner of the 2019 Foreword INDIES Award Bronze Medal, When Charley Met Emmateaches kids about disability, empathy, and the beauty of friendships with people who are different from you. When Charley goes to the playground and sees Emma, a girl with limb differences who gets around in a...
Brody the Lion : sometimes I roar!
Wegner, Kristin
Paper Book
Brody the Lion: Sometimes I ROAR Is the first book in the Brody the Lion Series. Brody the lion was as proud as could be his birthday was coming he was going to be 3. But for this little cub with autism a birthday party causes big problems. As Brody roars, his Mom & Dad do their best to calm their...
Susan laughs
Willis, Jeanne.
Paper Book
Susan laughs, she sings. she rides, she swings. She gets angry, she gets sad, she is good, she is bad... Told in rhyme, this story follows Susan through a series of familiar activities. She swims with her father, works hard in school, plays with her friends -- and...
My friend Isabelle
Woloson, Eliza.
Paper Book
Isabelle and Charlie are friends. They both like to draw, dance, read, and play at the park. They both like to eat Cheerios. They both cry if their feelings are hurt. And like most friends, they are also different from each other. Isabelle has Down syndrome. Charlie doesn't. Written by...
Noah chases the wind
Worthington, Michelle 1976-
Paper Book
Winner of the silver medal in the Moonbeam Children's Books Award in the Picture Book 4-8-year-old category from Independent Publisher Winner of the Gelett Burgess Children's Book Award Noah knew he was different. He could see things that...
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