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 1-4 by Debbie Harter

A 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 Brooks

Informative introduction to a busy surgery and veterinary clinic. Multicultural and positive "casual" images of wheelchair users.

Boots for a bridesmaid - for ages 5-8 by Verna Wilkins

Mum is a wheelchair user and the daughter needs boots for a wedding.

Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis, Tony Ross (Illustrator)

Let's talk - for ages 4-11 by Robie H Harris

An inclusive approach to talking about bodies, sex and relationships.

Are we there yet? - for ages 5-8 by Verna Wilkins

Max, Amy and wheelchair user dad have a wonderful day out at the funfair.

Dave and the Tooth Fairy - for ages 5-8 by Verna Wilkins

Dave's best friend is a wheelchair user

Letang's new friend, Trouble for Letang and Julie, Letang and Julie save the day - for ages 5-8 by Beveley Naidoo

A 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 Gantos

Joey 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 5-9 by Paul Collins

Robbie has cerebral palsy. The other kids say he's no good at baseball. Based on a true story.

Seal Surfer - for ages 3-8 by Michael Foreman

Looking after Louis - for ages 5-12 by Lesley Ely

Louis, the new boy, is not quite like everyone else. A positive book about Autism.

Brothers and Sisters - for ages 0-4 by Laura Dwight

Six groups of siblings, some able bodied and some with disabilities, talk about their lives together.

Friends at School - for ages 5+ by Rochelle Bunnett

Photos and clear text show life in an inclusive school.

I can't hear like you - for ages 6-10 by Althea Age

Explains that deafness need not limit a childs horizons.

Sports Day Nick Butterworth, Mick Inkpen, Ian Dury

Has a child in it using crutches

My Brother Sammy Becky Edwards, David Armitage

Synopsis:- 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, Matthew Mary Thompson

Synopsis:- 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 Epilepsy by 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 -13 by Morris Gleitzman

About a young girl who is non-verbal and uses sign language

Naked without a hat - for age 14+ by Jeanne Willis

Character with Down Syndrome. Showing people with learning disabilities can have successful relationships and sex.

Sleepovers - for age 7+ Jacqueline Wilson

New-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 Himself by Joan Fassler, Joe Lasker

Rolling Along: The Story of Taylor and His Wheelchair by Jamee Riggio Heelan, Nicola Simmonds

Friends at School by Rochelle Bunnett, Matt Brown

We'll Paint the Octopus Red by 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 Different by Todd Parr (Author)

Someone Special, Just Like You by Tricia and Photographs by Ortiz, Fran Brown, Fran Ortiz (Photographer)

Special People, Special Ways by Arlene Maguire, Sheila Bailey

Views from Our Shoes: Growing Up With a Brother or Sister With Special Needs Donald J. Meyer, Cary Pillo

Ian's Walk: A Story About Autism Laurie Lears, Karen Ritz

Andy and His Yellow Frisbee Mary Thompson

Living With a Brother or Sister With Special Needs: A Book for Sibs Patricia Vadasy, Donald Joseph Meyer

He's Not Drowning He's Waving Marlene Spencer

ISBN 0954514408 Solomanwhite Publications,2003

The Handstand Barry Rudner Peggy Trabalka

This 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 Ale

Alex, 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

Arabella by Wendy Orr, Kim Gamble

The 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. Author says: As I was writing the first draft, I realised that I saw Matthew as paraplegic. The roots for this go back twenty years, to my days as an occupational therapy student in London, England, when the public's reactions at students being sent out to the shops in wheelchairs, led me to write an article for the women's magazine 'She.' In the same issue, I read an article written by a paraplegic who had just started sailing, which I found inspirational. It's undoubtedly also relevant that I wrote the first draft of Arabella, a few years after a serious accident, when I could only walk short distances with the aid of a walking stick. Ironically, some of my other injuries left me with a constant feeling of motion-sickness, so that although sailing is quite feasible for my young Matthew, it is still not something I can enjoy.