Below is a list of 9 children’s books that highlights different types of disabilities.  They are a perfect avenue to show your child with a disability that they are truly special and that there are others who look and act like they do.  These books are also great teaching tools for friends, classmates, and siblings of someone with a disability. 

When Charley Met Emma

You can purchase the book here.

This book is beautifully written by Amy Webb, who did an Orange Socks interview a few years ago. You can find her interview here.

Charley is a child who sometimes feels different than the other kids. Then one day he goes to the playground and sees Emma, a girl with limb differences who gets around in a wheelchair, he doesn’t know how to react at first. But after he and Emma start talking, he learns that different isn’t bad, sad, or strange–different is just different, and different is great!

This book will help kids think about disability, kindness, and how to behave when they meet someone who is different from them. At the end, Amy gives 4 pieces of advice on how to teach your children to interact with someone with a disability.

My Friend Isabelle

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This simple book emphasizes the similarities between two friends Isabelle and Charlie.  They are the same age, both like to draw, dance, read, and play at the park.  Like most friends, they are also different from each other. Isabelle has Down syndrome and Charlie doesn’t.

This book opens the door to talk about differences and the world around them while focusing on what makes Isabelle and Charlie similar.  One of the best parts of the book is the author doesn’t come out and say that Isabelle has Down syndrome.  Which truly puts into perspective that we all have similarities and differences and that is what makes the world special.

We’ll Paint the Octopus Red

You can purchase the book here.

At first, six-year-old Emma was worried about becoming an older sister.  After she thinks of all of the fun activities they can do together she starts to become excited!  When the baby is born, her dad tells her the baby is a boy and he has something called Down syndrome.

Emma initially thinks that he won’t be able to participate in all of the activities she thought of doing with her new sibling.  After a while, both her dad and Emma realize that with patience and a little more help, there isn’t anything Isaac wouldn’t be able to do.

The book concludes with a set of commonly asked questions about Down syndrome with answers for children and how it might affect their siblings and family.

Strictly No Elephants

You can purchase the book here.

Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. The others don’t understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. After running into another person who wasn’t allowed in Pet Club, they decide to start their own club where their sign reads, “All are welcome”

This book subtly teaches about the differences in people through the use of animals.  It is delightful and heartwarming.  It creates the perfect opportunity to talk about how everyone is different and how we need to be accepting and kind to everyone.

My Brother Charlie

You can purchase the book here.

Written from the perspective of a sibling of someone who has autism, this book captures the challenges and joys of what life is like for siblings.  Siblings to children with disabilities can often feel a phenomenon called ‘Glass Child syndrome’.  Meaning their sibling with a disabilities needs overshadow their own and they feel forgotten or invisible.

This book is a great resource to siblings both old and young to help acknowledge they are not alone and there are others who feel the way they do.              

All My Stripes

You can purchase the book here.

Zane the zebra feels different from the rest of his classmates. He comes home after a very bad day and tells his mama that nobody understands him.  He worries that all they notice about him is his “autism stripe.” With the help of his Mama, Zane comes to appreciate all his stripes, and realizes that without each one, he wouldn’t be the same.  This book also touches on subjects common to those who have autism such as, feeling different, sensory processing challenges, social skills, and literal thinking. 

This book is written specifically for a child with autism.  It is written simply while still connecting to children with autism and their caregivers. 

This book also includes a Reading Guide with additional background information about autism spectrum disorders and a Note to Parents and Caregivers with tips for finding support.

Hip Hop Hooray for Brooklyn

You can purchase the book here.

This sweet story is about Brooklynn, a little bunny born with clubfoot.  After casts, and a small surgery, Brooklyn’s feet are straight!  She has to wear a brace at night.  She loves to hop and was determined to keep up with her brothers. With her jump rope rhymes and perseverance, Brooklynn shows that practice pays off and she can do anything she sets her mind to.

At the back of the book the author gives tips and pieces of information to parents of children with clubfoot.  This book also is a great resource for parents of typical children to help teach them about differences in the world around them and how differences aren’t something that can limit a person.

Uniquely Wired

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This book is written from the perspective of someone with autism, or as Zak calls it, is “uniquely wired.” It touches on many of the behaviors and personality quirks some people with autism have. As well as the gifts people with autism share with their family and friends.

Zak’s current obsession is watches, prior to that he was obsessed with trains.  He can recall every fact he has ever learned about both watches and trains.  As Zak describes his point of view for his obsessions, readers can gain a better understanding of his behaviors and learn valuable lessons about patience, curiosity, tolerance and understanding for Zak and others with autism.

Off to the Park

You can purchase the book here.

This is a fun unique book for children who are blind and their families.  The book is full of fun textures that will excite children of all abilities. 

Off to the park has great rhythmic text that keeps the reader and the listener engaged.  This book can also be used to show other children how someone who is blind or partially sighted views the world.