We love discovering books that celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the many stories of children with disability. This time we’re highlighting more of our favourite reads that uplift disabled voices, explore accessibility, and champion representation.
This list contains a range of books from tactile picture books to true stories of disabled role models.
We hope you and your family love these books as much as we do.
The World we can Build
This book by disabled author Eliza Hull and Sally Rippin, with illustrations by Daniel Gray-Barnett follows two children imagining a more accessible world. Carla and Sam want to play together, but there’s nowhere in their neighbourhood that’s accessible to them both! That is, until Carla and Sam put their heads together to dream up a place where all kids can play together, and a wonderful new space is born.
How to be Disabled and Proud
This book is a warm, funny empowering guide for children with disability as they navigate the move from primary to secondary school. Author, disabled journalist and mum of two Cathy Reay draws on her own experiences of growing up disabled to encourage young readers.
This great book examines the challenges faced by children with disability, touching gently on issues such as bullying and discrimination, and what to do when people just don’t get it, with comforting and practical advice to help readers through tough times.
I Talk Like a River
This is a moving picture book that offers understanding rather than a solution. A young boy goes to the river with his father, after a day of being unable to speak. When his father points to the river bubbling, churning, whirling and crashing, the boy finds a way to think about how he speaks. Even the river stutters. Like him. “I talk like a river,” he says.
Written by Jordan Scott, based on his own experience as a child, and illustrated by Sydney Smith.
Listen
This picture book is a biography of Deaf award-winning musician Evelyn Glennie. As a girl Evelyn loved music but when she was told that she would need to wear hearing aids for the rest of her life, she was determined that this this would never stop her from playing music. Instead of giving up on her dreams, Evelyn found new ways to listen and play music by becoming a percussionist.
With words by Shannon Stocker, illustrations from Devon Holzwarth, and a special note from Evelyn Glennie herself, this book encourages children to never give up on their dreams.
Six Dots
This fascinating picture book tells the true story of Louis Braille a blind boy so determined to read that he invented his own alphabet. This alphabet, of course, is now used by blind people around the world to read and communicate.
Jen Bryant tells Braille’s story with lively and accessible text, filled with the sounds, the smells, and the touch of Louis’s world. Illustrations by Boris Kulikov bring the book to life for young readers.
Dressed for Success
When she was growing up, Nikki couldn’t see out of her left eye and later in life a stroke took away almost all of her vision. Nikki didn’t let that stop her. Now, she is the proud owner of Blind Grit, her own fashion label that employs people with disabilities.
Nikki’s story, written by John Dickson and illustrated by Chantel de Sousa, is one of three put together in a series by Vision Australia, to showcase role models who are determined, resilient, successful and blind.
Off to the Park
Containing tactile features, Braille-style numbering, play elements, high-contrast images and a rhythmic rhyming text, this board book is designed to create as sensory and involved experience as possible as it tells the story of a visit to the park.
Written and illustrated by Stephen Cheetham.
Bernie Thinks in Boxes
Bernie thinks in boxes. She has boxes for everything: for home, for school and even for the park. Bernie likes boxes. When things fit into boxes, they make sense. But one day, Bernie’s boxes collide, and she must find a way to make sense of her world again.
Bernie Thinks in Boxes by Jess Horn is a wonderful introduction to neurodiversity for all young readers. Bernie learns to adapt to change, while still being supported to just be herself. Children will also enjoy the vivid illustrations by Zoe Bennett, which bring this story to life.
Why Not, and This is Me
With a joyous rhyming story and a whole host of children alongside the main character, these powerful picture books show children that not only are they amazing, but their friends, family and even people they haven’t yet met are amazing too! They encourage children to embrace who they are, and to try new things.
These two books are by author and TV presenter George Webster, who has Down Syndrome and Claire Taylor, illustrated by Tim Budgen.
Useful links
Seeing your story: TV shows for the early years
Read more Books & TV