Awareness of unique abilities contributes to developing empathy as well as understanding how to include others, proving truly winsome for all.
Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille
By Jen Bryant; illustrated by Boris Kulikov. Best for ages 5+.
Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award, Jen Bryant takes the reader through the life of Louis Braille, a blind boy who just wanted to learn to read. Frustrated with realizing there were no books he could read, Braille goes on to develop his own alphabet.
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin
By Julia Finley Mosca; illustrated by Daniel Rieley. Best for ages 5+
Told in rhyme, this book tells the story of a young girl diagnosed with autism at a young age. After being told she would never talk, Temple Grandin uses the pictures she sees in her mind to not only talk but also develop innovative improvements for farms around the world. Don’t forget to read the note from Dr. Temple Grandin at the end!
By Kevin Henkes. Best for ages 5+
Follow Chrysanthemum on her very first day of school, a mouse with a name she is proud of. Her fellow classmates, however, quickly begin to make fun of her name which causes Chrysanthemum to become sad. Keep reading to find out how Chrysanthemum’s classmates learn about kindness, compassion, and empathy toward others who are different from them.
Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah
By Laurie Ann Thompson; illustrated by Sean Qualls. Best for ages 6+
Meet Emmanuel--a boy born in Ghana with one deformed leg. Meet his mother--a woman who would teach him never to give up. Read about how Emmanuel would hop two miles to get to school and would go on to bicycle across Ghana in 2001. This book will leave any reader absolutely astounded at the obstacles Emmanuel overcame to show the world that a disability does not make you incapable of following your dreams.
By Ryan Haack; illustrated by Wes Molebash. Best for ages 5+
Ryan Haack gives us a glimpse into his own life--one that has been lived one-handed--with his book Different is Awesome. The story features a younger brother bringing his older brother to school for Show and Tell day because his older brother is missing an arm. The children in class are able to ask questions about how he does things with only one hand, and it leads them all to understand that they are all unique in their own ways.
Colt the Courageous: A Gifted Dyslexic
By Courtney Davidson; illustrated by Hector Curriel. Best for ages 5+
Colt is a young boy who is struggling with school, and his parents are trying to figure out the reason behind it. After learning Colt has dyslexia, his family is able to get the help they need so Colt can flourish. Courtney Davidson chronicles the diagnosis of her son, Colt, and has written a book that will help parents and kids everywhere as they navigate this new journey.
By Camille Garoche. Best for ages 5+
You do not want to miss Camille Garoche’s incredibly unique artistry as she creates scenes with paper, mounts them into dioramas, and photographs them to create wordless stories. The Snow Rabbit tells the story of two sisters, one being wheelchair bound, and the love they have for each other while going on a whimsical adventure.
My Brain is Magic: A Sensory Seeking Celebration
By Prasha Sooful; illustrated by Geeta Ladi. Best for ages 5+
Written by a clinical audiologist, this book celebrates the neurodivergent brain with fun ways for kids to use their sensory-seeking superpowers! Do not expect a cuddle session while reading this book--children are encouraged to roar, buzz, and more throughout!
Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion
By Shannon Stocker; illustrated by Devon Holzwarth. Best for ages 5+
How difficult would it be to be passionate about music and then slowly lose your hearing due to deteriorating nerves in your ears? Evelyn Glennie experienced just that, and when she couldn’t hear the notes anymore, she realized she could feel vibrations. Follow this true story of how Evelyn Glennie became the first solo percussionist and showed the world she could when they said she never would.
My Body Beeps!: Growing Up with Diabetes
By Katherine Lockwood. Best for ages 6+.
There are some disabilities that are unseen, and a non-functioning pancreas is one of them! Written by Katherine Lockwood, who lives with the invisible disease of cystic fibrosis, this book helps readers learn more about Type 1 Diabetes and asthma by meeting Katie and her best friend, Olivia. Lockwood has written a beautiful story that emphasizes the fact that chronic health conditions do not mean you can’t live a fun and active life.
Delena is a homeschooling mom who loves coffee, discussing children’s literature with strangers, and chronicling her domestic adventures on Instagram at @thecoffeecurriculum.