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 March 28, 2023
D
Davidson County Public Library
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Different : a great thing to be!
Avis, Heather
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER . This joyful rhyming book encourages children to value the "different" in all people, leading the way to a kinder world in which the differences in all of us are celebrated and embraced. Macy is a girl who's a lot like you and me, but she's also...
Yes I can! : a girl and her wheelchair
Barrett, Kendra J.
Paper Book
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 children and...
Aaron Slater, illustrator
Beaty, Andrea
Paper Book
Aaron Slater loves listening to stories and dreams of one day writing them himself. But when it comes to reading, the letters just look like squiggles to him, and it soon becomes clear he struggles more than his peers. When his teacher asks each child in the class to write a story, Aaron can't...
Even superheroes get scared
Becker, Shelly
Paper Book
When Superheroes feel worried or scared, When they fret, when they sweat, when they feel unprepared . . . They could run off screeching, they could but they don't. Because real superheroes just wouldn't, they won't.<...
Coffee, rabbit, snowdrop, lost
Birkj?r, Betina
Paper Book
A beautiful, candid picture book for children to understand what happens when a loved one begins suffering from dementia, and how best to care for them. A 2022 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book A Finalist for the 2022 Kirkus Prize in Young Readers' Literature
Little anxious Cat
Bouquet, Audrey
Paper Book
Little Cat is very stressed and scared when he finds out he needs to go to the doctor for a checkup. But the doctor helps him navigate his anxiety through breathing exercises, body movement, and visualizations. Featuring the appealing character of Little Cat, this funny and brightly...
Harley the hero
Collins, Peggy 1975-
Paper Book
An exciting picture book inspired by a real-life classroom service dog with themes of friendship, neurodivergence, and courage Harley the service dog is on the job! He goes to school every day with Ms. Prichard to make sure she feels safe. Their students are a lot of fun, but Harley...
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...
Sometimes
Elliott, Rebecca.
Paper Book
Toby loves his big sister Clemmie. She always looks after him and he looks after her - even when her disability means she has to go to hospital again. But they still find ways to have fun together - and their story will help encourage children facing a similar situation. Toby and...
If you're so smart, how come you can't spell Mississippi
Esham, Barbara
Paper Book
This upbeat addition to the Adventures of Everyday Geniuses series offers an encouraging insight into the struggles and triumphs of someone with dyslexia. When looking for books about dyslexia for kids, If You're So Smart, How Come You Can't Spell Mississippi is a great way to start conversations...
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...
Wild for Winnie
Fitzgerald, Laura Marx
Paper Book
New student Winnie has sensory processing challenges, but her wonderful teacher knows just how to make sure she's a welcome part of the class. Winnie is the new kid at school, and sometimes she acts kind of wild. Her teacher says to her classmates, "Maybe Winnie feels the world...
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...
I don't like birthday parties
Gaspari, Maureen
Paper Book
"An empathetic picture book about being a little bit different."--Kirkus Reviews More than anything, Lucas wants to enjoy birthday parties like his friends... but he is overwhelmed by all of the sights, sounds and sensations that come with celebrations. When he gets invited...
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...
Ben, king of the river
Gifaldi, David.
Paper Book
An older boy is afraid his disabled brother will spoil the family's first camping trip.
Dachy's deaf
Hughes, Jack (Children's book illustrator)
Paper Book
Dachy wears a hearing aid. But sometimes, when his friends get too noisy, he likes to turn it off to get some peace and quiet. One day, when his hearing aid is off, Dachy falls asleep and ends up floating down the river towards a waterfall and a hungry crocodile. Can his friends rescue him in...
Rescue & Jessica : a life-changing friendship
Kensky, Jessica
Paper Book
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 Seeing Eye dog -- it's the family business,...
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...
My city speaks
Lebeuf, Darren
Paper Book
A young visually impaired girl and her father spend a day in the city, her city, travelling to the places they go together: the playground, the community garden, the market, an outdoor concert. As they do, the girl describes what she senses in delightfully precise, poetic detail. Her city, she says,...
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...
Brave every day
Ludwig, Trudy
Paper Book
From social-emotional learning expert Trudy Ludwig and award-winning picture book illustrator Patrice Barton (co-creators of The Invisible Boy) comes a story about managing anxiety and finding the courage to stand up for yourself and others. Most kids love hide-and-seek,...
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
Unlike the other rocks that he plays with, Ricky can't roll because he isn't round. His friends help him to overcome his challenge and find a way for him to play like everyone else.
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...
Ben and Emma's big hit
Newsom, Gavin Christopher 1967-
Paper Book
From California Governor Gavin Newsom comes an empowering picture book about a young boy with dyslexia who discovers a new way to look at reading. Ben loves baseball. He loves the lines of diamond-shaped field and the dome of the pitcher's mound. What Ben doesn't like is reading....
Wiggles, stomps, and squeezes calm my jitters down
Parker, Lindsey Rowe
Paper Book
"This book is for anyone who has ever felt the need for a wiggle, stomp, or squeeze!" This is a story about sensory differences and how some children experience their world, told from a child's perspective. The vibration in her feet when she runs, the tap-tap-tap of...
My brother Charlie
Peete, Holly Robinson 1964-
Paper Book
From bestselling author and actress Holly Robinson Peete--a heartwarming story about a boy who happens to be autistic, based on Holly's son, who has autism."Charlie has autism. His brain works in a special way. It's harder for him to make friends. Or show his true feelings. Or stay safe." But as his...
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...
Lucas makes a comeback
Plohl, Igor
Paper Book
Lucas fell, and now he lives with a disability. A story of grit and resilience. When Lucas falls off a ladder, he damages his spine and can't use his legs anymore. He can't stand on them and he can't walk on them. Read about how, with self-determination as well as...
You are a story
Raczka, Bob
Paper Book
An empowering reflection on the many things we are and the ways we relate to the world. Poet Bob Raczka's You are a Story highlights all of the nuance and potential of a growing person's identity, delighting in the things that make us special and connect us to others. Text...
The big worry day
Reynolds, K. A.
Paper Book
A girl and her dog find ways to deal with her anxiety in this beautiful debut picture book A little girl is convinced that her dog worries, just like her. With a whole day ahead of them, she'll need to figure out how to soothe them both. She prepares snacks, first aid, and even a...
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,...
Brilliant Bea
Rudolph, Shaina
Paper Book
An endearing and empowering story that demonstrates that a learning difference like dyslexia doesn't define who you are. Despite her struggles with reading and writing, Beatrice is a natural and brilliant storyteller. With the help of a kind-hearted teacher, Beatrice uses an old...
I talk like a river
Scott, Jordan
Paper Book
Best day ever!
Singer, Marilyn
Paper Book
A sweet dog-loves-kid/kid-loves-dog story, in which the kid uses a wheelchair, from an award-winning children's poet and talented debut illustrator. This playful puppy thinks she's having the best day ever! She's so happy to be out with her friend, she doesn...
Don't worry, Murray
Stein, David Ezra
Paper Book
The perfect gift for dog lovers! Bark, George meets Wemberly Worried in this new classic picture book from David Ezra Stein, Caldecott Honor-winning creator of Interrupting Chicken and Leaves. The ideal read for back-to-school anxiety and soothing nerves all year long. ...
Ali and the sea stars
Stroker, Ali 1987-
Paper Book
Tony Award-winning actress Ali Stroker captures the magic and community of theater in her debut picture book, about a spirited girl in a wheelchair who stages a show for her hometown. Based on the pivotal summer Ali performed in her first musical by the Jersey Shore! Ali...
A walk in the words
Talbott, Hudson
Paper Book
Winner of a Schneider Family Honor! "A beautifully rendered and deeply inspiring book for everyone who has ever read slowly-myself included! Hudson shows us the beauty and magic that can come from taking our time. Brilliant."-Jacqueline Woodson Hudson Talbott's...
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...
Why are you looking at me? : I just have Down Syndrome
Tompkins, Lisa
Paper Book
This story is about the life of a child with Down Syndrome that wants to be your friend. Lynn may look different than most children, but has many of the same likes and dislikes. Help your child discover what it means to accept and embrace a relationship with people who are different.
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...
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...

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