Children's Literature & Disability

This list of Resources You Can Use is intended to help parents and professionals identify books that are written about or include characters who have a disability. The list is grouped according to disability or issue (see list, above). We have indicated the age/grade level in parentheses to help you determine which of these books is appropriate for your children. At times, for clarity, we have indicated additional information about the story. A list of publishers is provided (in alphabetical order) at the end of this document, so that readers can easily obtain books of interest to them.

This Resources You Can Use is not intended to serve as an endorsement of any of the books listed. We urge you to carefully evaluate all materials in order to determine which is most appropriate for your particular needs.

This booklist is by no means exhaustive. You may identify additional children's literature relating to disability by:

• Contacting a national, state, or local level disability organization that specializes in the disability of interest to you and asking what children's books involving disability they might recommend;
  
  
• Checking to see what books involving disability are available in your local library and local bookstores;
  
  
• Visiting the Web sites of the publishers listed at the end of this document to see if they have other materials that meet your needs.

These books can offer an excellent vehicle for communicating with children about disabilities, for providing children and young adults with stories about persons like themselves, and for featuring the personalities, friendships, challenges, accomplishments, and daily lives of people with disabilities.

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Caffrey, J.A. (1997). First star I see. Fairport, NY: Verbal Images Press. (Grades 6-8)

Carpenter, P., Ford, M., & Horjus, P. (Illust.). (2000). Sparky’s excellent misadventures: My A.D.D. journal, by me (Sparky). Washington, DC: Magination Press. (Ages 5-11)

Corman,C.L., & Trevino, E. (1995). Eukee the jumpy jumpy elephant. Plantation, FL: Special Press. (Preschool-3)

Galvin, M., & Ferraro, S. (Illust.). (1995). Otto learns about his medicine: A story about medicine for children with ADHD. Washington, DC: Magination Press. (Ages 4-8)

Gordon, M., & Junco, J.H. (Illust.). (1992). My brother’s a world class pain: A sibling’s guide to ADHD-hyperactivity. DeWitt, NY: GSI. (Grades 4 and up)

Janover, C. (1997). Zipper, the kid with ADHD. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. (Grades 3-6)

Nemiroff, M.A., Annunziata, J., & Scott, M. (Illust.). (1998). Help is on the way: A child’s book about ADD. Washington, DC: Magination Press. (Ages 5-9)

Shapiro, L.E. (1993). Sometimes I drive my mom crazy, but I know she’s crazy about me: A self-esteem book for ADHD children. Secaucus, NJ: Childswork/ Childsplay. (Preschool-5)

Smith, M. (1997). Pay attention, Slosh! Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman. (Grades 3-5)

Zimmert, D. (2001). Eddie enough! Bethesda, MD: Woodbine. (Ages 5-10).

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Amenta III, C.A. (1992). Russell is extra special: A book about autism for children. Washington, DC: Magination Press. (Ages 4-8)

Branon, B. (1998). Timesong. Las Vegas, NV: Huntington Press.

Katz, I., Ritvo, E., & Borowitz, F. (Illust.). (1993). Joey and Sam. West Hills, CA: Real Life Storybooks. (Grades K-6)

Landalf, H., & Rimland, M. (Illust.). (1998). Secret night world of cats. Lyme, NH: Smith & Kraus. (The illustrator of this book has autism.) (Grades K-3)

Messner, A.W. (1999). Captain Tommy. Arlington, TX: Future Horizons. (Grades 1-4)

Prizant, B.M. (Ed.). (1997). In our own words: Stories by brothers and sisters of children with autism and PDD. Fall River, MA: Adsum. (Ages 12 and up)

Simmons, K.L. (1996). Little rainman. Arlington, TX: Future Horizons. (Ages 4-8)

Sprecher, J., & Forrest, J. (Illust.). (1997). Jeffrey and the despondent dragon. Muskego, WI: Special Kids. (Grades K-4)

Thompson, M. (1996). Andy and his yellow frisbee. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. (Grades K-5)

Wilson, R. (1999). The legendary blobshocker. Arlington, TX: Future Horizons. (Written and illustrated by a nine-year-old boy with autism.)

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Carter, A.R., Young, D. (Illust.), & Carter, C. (Illust.). (1997). Big brother Dustin. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman. (Ages 4-8)

Carter, A.R., Young, D. (Photographer), & Carter, C. (Illust.). (1999). Dustin's big school day. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman. (Ages 4-8)

Dodds, B., & Hunt, J. (Illust.). (1997). My sister Annie. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mill Press. (Ages 9-12)

Fleming, V. (1993). Be good to Eddie Lee. New York, NY: Putnam. (Preschool-3)

Fox, P. (1997). Radiance descending. New York, NY: DK Publishing. (Grades 5-7)

Rickert, J.E., & McGahan, P. (Photographer). (1999). Apple tree surprise. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. (Ages 3-7)

Rickert, J.E., & McGahan, P. (Photographer). (1999). Russ and the firehouse. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. (Ages 3-7)

Rickert, J.E., & McGahan, P. (Photographer). (2001). Russ and the almost perfect day. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. (Ages 3-7)

Stuve-Bodeen, S. (1998). We’ll paint the octopus red. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. (Ages 3-7)

Testa, M., & Paterson, D. (1994). Thumbs up, Rico! Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman. (Grades 3-7)

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Addabbo, C. (1998). Dina the deaf dinosaur. Stamford, CT: Hannacroix Creek. (The author of this book is deaf.) (Preschool-5)

Blatchford, C.H. (1995). Nick’s mission. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner. (Ages 10-14)

Booth, B., & Lamarche, J. (1991). Mandy. New York, NY: Lothrop. (Hearing impairment) (Ages 5-9)

Hodges, C., & Yoder, D. (Illust.). (1995). When I grow up. Hollidaysburg, PA: Jason & Nordic. (Deafness) (Grades K-4)

Lowell, G.R., & Brooks, K.S. (Illust.). (2000). Elana’s ears, or how I became the best big sister in the world. Washington, DC: Magination Press. (Deafness) (Ages 3-8)

Piper, D. (1996). Jake's the name, sixth grade's the game. Unionville, NY: Royal Fireworks Press. (Grades 5-8)

Shreve, S.R. (1993). Gift of the girl who couldn’t hear. New York, NY: William Morrow. (Grades 5 and up)

Slier, D. (1995). Word signs. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. (Deafness)

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Banks, J.T. (1995). Egg-drop blues. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. (Dyslexia) (Grades 3-6)

Griffith, J. (1997). How dyslexic Benny became a star. Dallax, TX: Yorktown Press. (Ages 9-15)

Janover, C. (2000). How many days until tomorrow? Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. (Dyslexia) (Grades 3-6)

Schlieper, A. (1994). Best fight. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman. (Grades 3-7)

Smith, S.L., & Booz, B. (Illust.). (1994). Different is not bad, different is the world: A book about disabilities. Longmont, CO: Sopris West. (Grades 2-6)

Stern, J., Ben-Ami, U., & Chesworth, M. (Illust.). (1996). Many ways to learn: Young people’s guide to learning disabilities. Washington, DC: Magination Press. (Ages 8-13)

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Carrick, C., & Carrick, D. (Illust.). (1989). Stay away from Simon! Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. (Grades 3-6)

Mazer, H. (1998). Wild kid. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children’s. (Ages 10-14)

Pulver, R., & Wolf, E. (1999). Way to go, Alex! Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman. (Grades 2-5)

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Benton, H. (1996). Whoa, Nellie! Columbus, OH: Open Minds. (Part of the Best Friends series, which features Kathryn, a girl with a physical disability who uses a wheelchair.) (Ages 8-14)

Carter, A.R., & Carter, C.S. (Photographer.). (2000). Stretching ourselves: Kids with cerebral palsy. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman. (Ages 5-9)

Heelan, J.R. (1998). Making of my special hand: Madison’s story. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree. (This book is about the making of a prosthesis.) (Ages 4-8)

Heelan, J.R. (2000). Rolling along: The story of Taylor and his wheelchair. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree. (This book is about a boy with cerebral palsy learning to use a wheelchair.) (Ages 6-10)

Holcomb, N. (1992). Andy finds a turtle. Hollisdayburg, PA: Jason & Nordic. (Preschool-2)

Holcomb, N. (1992). Andy opens wide. Hollisdayburg, PA: Jason & Nordic. (Preschool-2)

Holcomb, N. (1992). Fair and square. Hollisdayburg, PA: Jason & Nordic. (Preschool-2)

Loski, D., & Sniffen, L.M. (Illust.). (1995). Dinosaur hill. Boise, ID: Writers Press. (The main character has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.) (Grades 3-8)

Moran, G., & Westcott, N.B. (1994). Imagine me on a sit-ski. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman. (Using a wheelchair) (Grades 2-5)

Myers, C., & Morgan, C. (Illust.). (1999). Rolling along with Goldilocks and the three bears. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. (Using a wheelchair) (Ages 3-7)

Tuitel, J., Lamson, S.E., & Sharp, D. (Illust.). (2000). Searching the noonday trail. Muskegon, MI: Cedar Tree. (Part of the Gun Lake Gang Adventure series, this book features a boy with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair. The co-author, J. Tuitel, also has CP and uses a wheelchair.) (Ages 9-12)

Useman, S., Useman, E., & Pillo, C. (Illust.). (1999). Tibby tried it. Washington, DC: Magination Press. (About a bird who can’t fly.) (Ages 3-8)

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Girard, L.W., & Sims, B. (1990). Alex, the kid with AIDS. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman. (Grades 2-5)

Hamilton, V. (1999). Bluish. New York, NY: Blue Sky Press. (Leukemia and using a wheelchair) (Grades 2-6)

Harshman, M.(1995). The storm. New York, NY: Cobblehill/Dutton. (Using a wheelchair) (Grades 2-6)

Katz, I. (1994). Uncle Jimmy. West Hills, CA: Real Life Storybooks. (AIDS) (Grades K-6)

Kübler-Ross, E. (1995). Remember the secret (Rev. ed.). Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts. (About dying.) (Grades 1-4)

Mills, J.C. (1993). Gentle willow: A story for children about dying. Washington, DC: Magination Press. (Preschool-3)

Mills, J., & Chesworth, M. (Illust.). (1992). Little Tree: A story for children with serious medical problems. Washington, DC: Magination Press. (Amputation) (Ages 4-8)

Slote, A. (1992). Hang tough, Paul Mather. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children’s. (About a 12-year-old pitcher with leukemia.)

Verniero, J.C., & Flory, V. (Illust.). (1995). You can call me Willy: A story for children about AIDS. Washington, DC: Magination Press. (Ages 4-8)

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Fox, P. (1997). Radiance descending. New York, NY: DK Publishing. (Down syndrome) (Grades 5-7)

Gordon, M., & Junco, J.H. (Illust.). (1992). My brother’s a world class pain: A sibling’s guide to ADHD-hyperactivity. DeWitt, NY: GSI. (Grades 4 and up)

Lowell, G.R., & Brooks, K.S. (Illust.). (2000). Elana’s ears, or how I became the best big sister in the world. Washington, DC: Magination Press. (Deafness) (Ages 3-8)

Meyer, D.J. (Ed.). (1997). Views from our shoes: Growing up with a brother or sister with special needs. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. (Grades 3 and up)

Prizant, B.M. (Ed.). (1997). In our own words: Stories by brothers and sisters of children with autism and PDD. Fall River, MA: Adsum. (Ages 12 and up)

Thompson, M. (1992). My brother Matthew. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. (About disability in general.) (Grades K-5)

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Chamberlin, K. (1997). Night search. Hollisdayburg, PA: Jason & Nordic. (Also available in Braille.)

Day, S., & Morris, D. (Illust.). Luna and the big blur. Washington, DC: Magination Press. (Ages 4-8)

Gardner, S., & Spurlock, J. (Illust.). (1997). Eagle Feather. Boise, ID: Writers Press. (About a blind Native American boy in the mid-19th century.) (Ages 9-12)

Martin, Jr., B., Archambault, J., & Rand, T. (Illust.). (1995). Knots on a counting rope. New York, NY: Henry Holt. (Preschool-2)

Schulman, A. (1997). T.J.’s story: A book about a boy who is blind. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner. (Ages 8-12)

Turk, R. (1998). Doll on the top shelf. Los Altos, CA: Owl’s House Press. (Book is presented in text and Braille.) (Grades K-3)

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Aldape, V.T., & Kossacoff, L.S. (Photographer). (1995). Nicole's story: A book about a girl with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner. (Grades 3-8)

Buehrens, A., & Buehrens, C. (1991). Adam and the magic marble: A magical adventure. Duarte, CA: Hope Press. (Tourette syndrome and cerebral palsy) (Grades K-10)

Carlisle, K. (1994). Special raccoon: Helping a child learn about handicaps and love. Far Hills, NJ: New Horizon. (About disability in general.)

Gosselin, K. (1996). ZooAllergy: A fun story about allergy and asthma triggers. Valley Park, MO: JayJo Books. (Asthma & allergy testing) (Grades K-6)

Gosselin, K. (1997). SPORTSercise! Valley Park, MO: JayJo Books. (Exercise-induced asthma) (Grades 3-7)

Gosselin, K. (1998). ABCs of asthma: An asthma alphabet book for kids of all ages. Valley Park, MO: JayJo Books. (Asthma) (Grades K-5)

Gosselin, K. (1998). Taking diabetes to school (2^nd ed.). Valley Park, MO: JayJo Books. (Diabetes) (Grades K-5)

Klayman, G. (1996). Our new baby needs special help: A coloring book for families whose new baby has problems. Omaha, NE: Centering Corporation.

Koplow, L., & Velasquez, E. (Illust.). (1991). Tanya and the Tobo man: A story for children entering therapy. Washington, DC: Magination Press. (Written in both English and Spanish.) (Ages 4-8)

Maguire, A. (1995). We’re all special. Santa Monica, CA: Portunus. (About disability in general.) (Preschool and up)

Mulder, L., & Friar, J.H. (Illust.). (1992). Sarah and Puffle: A story for children about diabetes. Washington, DC: Magination Press. (Diabetes) (Ages 4-8)

Peacock, C.A., Gregory, A., & Gregory, K.C. (1998). Sugar was my best food: Diabetes and me. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman. (Diabetes) (Grades 3-8)

Roy, J.R. (1999). Bed potatoes: An activity guide for kids who feel yukky, miserable, and just plain sick. Saratoga Springs, NY: Activate Press.

Snyder, H., & Beebe, S. (Illust.). (1998). Elvin: The elephant who forgets. Wake Forest, NC: L&A Publishing. (Traumatic brain injury) (Grades K-5)

Williams, M. (1996). Cool cats, calm kids: Relaxation and stress management for young people. San Luis Obispo, CA: Impact. (Grades 2-7)

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