Disability Visibility - Picture Books

We’ve gathered together picture books that feature young people with disabilities. Many are memoirs or fiction that draw upon the authors’ own experiences. We hope you find books here to share with your family that can serve as mirrors for children with disabilities and doorways to deepen understanding and empathy for all.

Updated May 16, 2025
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LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Happy Valley Library
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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...
This beach is loud!
Cotterill, Samantha
Paper Book
Patience, understanding, and a soothing exercise saves the beach day when excitement turns to sensory overload. Going to the beach is exciting. But it can also be busy. And loud. Sand can feel hot or itchy or sticky...and it gets everywhere! In This Beach Is Loud...
What my daddy loves
Figueroa, Raissa
Paper Book
In her joyous authorial debut, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honor winner Raissa Figueroa celebrates the warm love between Black fathers and their children.  Capturing a child's perspective and infused with gentle humor, Raissa Figueroa's tender, insightful look at fathers is...
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...
How we eat
Fuente-Lau, Shuli de la
Paper Book
"★ Meaningful and inclusive." - Kirkus Starred Review Mealtime just got a whole lot more fun! HOW WE EAT helps families and educators discuss ability, culture, and food at home and in the classroom. Complete with family discussion questions and a guide detailing the...
This Is My Brain A Book on Neurodiversity
Gravel, Elise
Paper Book
A seriously funny book all about our brains! Award-winning author-illustrator Elise Gravel celebrates the many wonderful ways humans think in a comic-style nonfiction book for curious kids.   Acclaimed creator Elise Gravel (Killer Underwear...
Happy again
Plohl, Igor
Paper Book
Lucas fell, and now he lives with a disability. A Level G story about resilience that first graders can read on their own. Lucas is a happy lion. One day Lucas Falls. Can Lucas be happy again? When Lucas falls off a ladder, he hurts...
Dancing hands : a story of friendship in Filipino sign language
Que, Joanna
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book An Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Honor Winner Read the world to change the world! This artful picture book about friendship and sign language, originally published in the Philippines in concert with nonprofit Room to Read, is beautifully...
I talk like a river
Scott, Jordan
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...
Unbound : the life + art of Judith Scott
Scott, Joyce
Paper Book
A moving and powerful introduction to the life and art of renowned artist, Judith Scott, as told by her twin sister, Joyce Scott and illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist, Melissa Sweet. Judith Scott was born with Down syndrome. She was deaf, and never learned to speak. She was...
Just ask! : be different, be brave, be you
Sotomayor, Sonia
Paper Book
Awesomely Emma : a Charley and Emma story
Webb, Amy
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...

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