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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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...
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...
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...
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...
It's me, Henry!
Deslauriers, Stéphanie 1987-
Paper Book
Key Selling Points It's Me, Henryoffers a gentle introduction to a neurodivergent character. The French edition, Laurent, c'est moi!, was a finalist for the Governor General's Award in 2019, the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award in 2020 and the Harry Black Award in 2020. ...
My friend has down syndrome
Doering, Amanda F. 1980-
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!
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
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,...
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
Ebook
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....
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...
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...
Brilliant Bea
Rudolph, Shaina
Paper Book
Brilliant Bea is 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...
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. ...
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...
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...
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...

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