Books for Children on Disabilities
Books for children to read featuring children with disabilities in some way. Some are recommended by our members. Most can be found in major book shops or through an online book store such as Amazon. Access Amazon through Special Kids in the UK and help raise funds for our charity if you purchase an item.For Younger Children
The animal boogie (+ music cd) - for ages 1-4by Debbie HarterA group of children swing, slither and shake as they boogie with creatures of the Indian jungle. Being a wheelchair user doesn't stop one girl from joining in the fun. |
Daisy the Doctor and Vicky the Vet - for age 2+by Felicity BrooksInformative introduction to a busy surgery and veterinary clinic. Multicultural and positive "casual" images of wheelchair users. |
Boots for a bridesmaid - for ages 5-8by Verna WilkinsMum is a wheelchair user and the daughter needs boots for a wedding. |
Susan Laughsby Jeanne Willis, Tony Ross (Illustrator) |
Let's talk - for ages 4-11by Robie H arrisAn inclusive approach to talking about bodies, sex and relationships. |
Are we there yet? - for ages 5-8by Verna WilkinsMax, Amy and wheelchair user dad have a wonderful day out at the funfair. |
Dave and the Tooth Fairy - for ages 5-8by Verna WilkinsDave's best friend is a wheelchair user |
Letang's new friend, Trouble for Letang and Julie, Letang and Julie save the day - for ages 5-8by Beveley NaidooA series of books which include looking different, making friends and getting around with a physical impairment. |
Joey Pigza swallowed the key - for age 8+by Jack GantosJoey doesn't mean to be a pain, to disrupt lessons and cause havoc at home. Well written from Joey's point of view, this book will give those who live, work and go to school with ADHD children an idea of what is going on in their heads as well as providing the children themselves with a character with whom they can truly identify. |
Home Run - for ages 5-9by Paul CollinsRobbie has cerebral palsy. The other kids say he's no good at baseball. Based on a true story. |
Seal Surfer - for ages 3-8by Michael Foreman |
Looking after Louis - for ages 5-12by Lesley ElyLouis, the new boy, is not quite like everyone else. A positive book about Autism. |
Brothers and Sisters - for ages 0-4by Laura DwightSix groups of siblings, some able bodied and some with disabilities, talk about their lives together. |
Friends at School - for ages 5+by Rochelle BunnettPhotos and clear text show life in an inclusive school. |
I can't hear like you - for ages 6-10by Althea AgeExplains that deafness need not limit a childs horizons. |
Sports DayNick Butterworth, Mick Inkpen, Ian DuryHas a child in it using crutches |
My Brother SammyBecky Edwards, David ArmitageSynopsis:- Sammy does not go to school with his older brother. They cannot play in the park together. They are constantly at cross purposes because Sammy is autistic and does not know how to be a "normal brother." Then one day the older brother realises that Sammy's way of doing things may not be so bad. |
My Brother, MatthewMary ThompsonSynopsis:- Though David knows frustration and resentment at times, he feels he understands his disabled little brother even better than his parents; and together the two boys experience a great deal of joy. |
Becky the Brave - A story about Epilepsyby Laurie Lears.Becky has epilepsy and this story is told by her sister. It deals with what epilepsy is (simplified), siblings feelings and how the child with epilepsy copes. Karina says -" Nathan loved this book and now talks about Jermaines seizures and what they are to his friends" |
For Older Children
Blabbermouth and Sticky Beaky - for ages 8 -13by Morris GleitzmanAbout a young girl who is non-verbal and uses sign language |
Naked without a hat - for age 14+by Jeanne WillisCharacter with Down Syndrome. Showing people with learning disabilities can have successful relationships and sex. |
Sleepovers - for age 7+Jacqueline WilsonNew-girl-in-school Daisy faces up to familiar childhood dilemmas. Daisy is finding her feet with a new group of friends, slowly becoming "one of the gang" who take it in turns to have sleep-over parties. But with her own turn to play host fast approaching, Daisy is faced with the task of telling her new friends about her mentally and physically disabled older sister, and she is unsure how they will react. The spoilt Chloe, with her snide bullying tactics, presents a particular problem: she has been reluctant to let Daisy into the group, and this could give her just the excuse she needs... |
Howie Helps Himselfby Joan Fassler, Joe Lasker |
Rolling Along: The Story of Taylor and His Wheelchairby Jamee Riggio Heelan, Nicola Simmonds |
Friends at Schoolby Rochelle Bunnett, Matt Brown |
We'll Paint the Octopus Redby Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen, Pam Devito |
Lets Talk About It: Extraordinary Friends (Let's Talk About It)by Fred Rogers, Jim Judk |
What's Wrong with Timmy?by Maria Shriver (Author) |
It's Okay to Be Differentby Todd Parr (Author) |
Someone Special, Just Like Youby Tricia and Photographs by Ortiz, Fran Brown, Fran Ortiz (Photographer) |
Special People, Special Waysby Arlene Maguire, Sheila Bailey |
Views from Our Shoes: Growing Up With a Brother or Sister With Special NeedsDonald J. Meyer, Cary Pillo |
Ian's Walk: A Story About Autism Laurie Lears, Karen Ritz |
Andy and His Yellow FrisbeeMary Thompson |
Living With a Brother or Sister With Special Needs: A Book for SibsPatricia Vadasy, Donald Joseph Meyer |
He's Not Drowning He's WavingMarlene Spencer |
The HandstandBarry Rudner Peggy TrabalkaThis is the perfect book to teach little ones about individual differences and acceptance. A young girl in a wheelchair longs to be a member of a back yard club. Only one problem, she must do a handstand to become a member. It all works out. As the story unfolds, children discover that everyone can belong and that everyone has feelings, and that some rules are meant to be broken or changed to help include everyone. |
A Very Special Critter (Mercer Mayer's Little Critter)by Gina Mayer, Mercer Mayer Ingram AleAlex, a new critter at school, uses a wheelchair to get around, and at first the other critters aren't sure how to treat him. But when they get to know Alex, they find that even though he's a special critter, he's really just one of the gang. A Golden Look-Look Book |
Arabellaby Wendy Orr, Kim GambleThe Arabella, a replica of a beautiful ship, sits on Grandpas windowsill.
It is his pride and joy. When it goes missing Matthew goes to sea in
Grandpas real boat to find and rescue it. Matthew thinks that the Arabella
is Grandpa's most precious thing, but Grandpa tells him otherwise.... because
nothing is more precious to him than Matthew. |