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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My friend Suhana
Abdullah, Shaila 1971-
Paper Book
A simple tale of love and friendship to warm your heart 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 cerebral palsy. The girl finds that through...
I love my body because
Anand, Shelly
Paper Book
All Are Welcome meets Bodies Are Cool in this picture book that shows us what makes every body special. Everybody has a body and every body is good. Your body takes you where you want to go. Your body is your first home. And your body is different from everyone else...
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
Gracie's ears
Blackington, Debbie
Paper Book
This is the story of Gracie, your everyday fun-loving kid who does everything that you do, but has trouble hearing. It's as if her ears are sleeping! Can anyone or anything wake up Gracie's ears? Based on a true story. Told in rhyme, this uplifting story with gentle illustrations is based...
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?)....
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...
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...
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...
Sir Drake the Brave
Jordan-Lake, Joy 1963-
Paper Book
The magical story of how a boy with a disability who is bullied finds the hero within. As Drake gets ready for bed, his mother entertains his questions about tyrants, pirates, and dragons--which are really questions about the power of bullies. Their conversation reminds us all that...
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.
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...
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 1978-
Paper Book
Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winner 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? Sometimes it takes a change of perspective to get...
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...
My must-have mom
Smith, Maudie
Paper Book
When Jake's mom upcycles every last thing in the apartment, Jake begins to worry that the only thing left to change is . . . him! Jake's mom is not like most moms. Say there's a dumpster in the street, most moms will pass right by without a second glance. Not Jake's mom...
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...
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...
Amigos : friends forever
Walko.
Ebook
The world can present many obstacles--for people with a handicap, simply getting from place to place can be a major challenge. A dog named Pedro wants to explore the world but his lack of sight makes it too dangerous for him to dodge the whizzing cars on a busy street. He meets Rosalie the cat, who...
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...
Noah chases the wind
Worthington, Michelle 1976-
Ebook
Noah knew he was different. He could see things that others couldn't, like the patterns in the dust that floated down on sunbeams. Noah is different. He sees, hears, feels, and thinks in ways that other people don't always understand, and he asks a lot of questions along the...
Up and Adam
Zapata, Debbie
Paper Book
A boy with Down syndrome lifts spirits all over town! It's the day after the big storm. Adam and his dog, Up, are finishing breakfast when the mayor appears on TV asking everyone to help with the cleanup. She says, 'Now, it's time to get to work. Up and at 'em!' When Adam hears the mayor tell him...

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