Disability Books for Kids

There is joy in finding yourself reflected in books and there is knowledge in reading other’s stories. This list is a selection of books featuring characters whose experiences cover a wide range of neurodivergent and physical disabilities.

Updated July 6, 2026
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I am a masterpiece! : an empowering story about inclusivity and growing up with Down Syndrome
Armstrong, Mia
Paper Book
Tween actress Mia Armstrong celebrates her fun, funny, beautiful childhood living with Down syndrome in this debut picture book. Don't miss Mia in A Christmas in New Hope, streaming now! Mia likes many of the things other people like--going to the beach, the...
Sam's super seats
Brown, Keah
Paper Book
A joyful picture book about a disabled girl with cerebral palsy who goes back-to-school shopping with her best friends, from #DisabledandCute creator and The Pretty One author Keah Brown. Sam loves herself, learning, and making her family and friends laugh. She also loves...
What Happened to You?
Catchpole, James.
Paper Book
The first ever picture book addressing how a disabled child might want to be spoken to. What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off? Every time Joe goes out the questions are the same . . . what...
Too much! : an overwhelming day
Gutie?rrez, Jolene
Paper Book
When feelings go on overload, I pause and breathe and all is . . . slowed. Sometimes everything is too much! Too loud, too bright, and all too overwhelming. Writing from her own experience with sensory processing disorder, award-winning teacher-librarian...
When Bryn's Ear Went Quiet
Hundal, Nancy
Paper Book
A young girl prepares for cochlear implant surgery When Bryn was four, she could hear birds chirping in the tall trees outside her house. But at seven, she can only hear those chirps in her left ear. Her right ear has become quieter. A hearing aid helps, but it isn't always perfect. ...
Monster hands
Kane, Karen
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Two best friends use rhyming ASL to help vanquish their fear of the monster under the bed in this fun, interactive bedtime readaloud. When nighttime comes, Milo has a problem--he's convinced there's a monster under his bed! Luckily...
Dancing with daddy
Schulte, Anitra Rowe
Paper Book
Winner of the Christopher Award Elsie can't wait to go to her first father-daughter dance. She picked out the perfect dress and has been practicing swirling and swaying in her wheelchair. Elsie's heart pirouettes as she prepares for her special night. With gestures, smiles, and...
I talk like a river
Scott, Jordan
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?
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...
Emmanuel's dream : the true story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah
Thompson, Laurie Ann
Paper Book
Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah's inspiring true story-which was turned into a film, Emmanuel's Gift, narrated by Oprah Winfrey-is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Ghana, West Africa, with one deformed leg, he was dismissed by most people-but not by his mother, who taught him to reach...

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