Picture Books with Disability Representation

Goldin, Barbara Diamond

Young, blind Hershel finds that he has special gifts he can use to help his mother during the Jewish holiday of Purim. Includes author's notes about the holiday and its origins.

Gianferrari, Maria

A student who uses a wheelchair finds a way to see her dog each day in school.

Jordan Scott

When a child has a "bad speech day" at school, his father gives him a new perspective on his stuttering.

Flood, Bo

Eva's cerebral palsy makes it difficult for her to do many things, but she longs to dance and, finally, her dream is realized. Includes author's note and information about Young Dance Company.

Cocca-Leffler, Maryann

Janine is good at a lot of things like singing, cheering, and spelling big words. But she is not very good at sports--her body just doesn't work like the other kids'. On field day at school, Janine tries her best to finish each challenge.

Sotomayor, Sonia

A group of children with different abilities and strengths come together to build a community garden.

Elliott, Rebecca

A younger brother describes all the fun he has with the big sister just because. He is enthusiastic about just how loving and special she is, and delights in telling us about all the fun things they do together. Only as his tale unfolds does the reader begin to realize that his sister has special needs.

Khan, Rukhsana

Even though he is confined to a wheelchair, a Pakistani boy tries to capture the most kites during Basant, the annual spring kite festival, and become "king" for the day. Includes an afterword about the Basant festival.

Millman, Isaac

Moses and his schoolmates, all deaf, attend a concert where the orchestra's percussionist is also deaf. Includes illustrations in sign language and a page showing the manual alphabet.

Lebeuf, Darren

A young girl explores her city with her father, taking in all its sensory details. Her city speaks to her in so many ways: "sometimes it echoes," and "sometimes it trills." It "buzzes and tweets and flocks." It's both "busy" and "relaxed," and "smelly" and "sweet." In the end, we discover that the city doesn't just speak to this inquisitive young girl - it also listens...

Cottin, Menena

In a story where the text appears in white letters on a black background, as well as in braille, and the illustrations are also raised on a black surface, Thomas describes how he recognizes different colors using various senses.

Seeger, Pete

Lee, a jazz pianist, has to leave his band when he begins losing his hearing, but he meets a deaf saxophone player in a sign language class and together they form a snazzy new band.

Rosner, Jennifer

Ruthie Tober's family is known for the beautiful, warm mittens they knit, so when she and her mother meet a deaf woman and her baby and give them shelter, Ruthie decides to design very special mittens for them.

Brown, Dolores

Women and girls practicing professions from hairdresser to firefighter, in different family situations, and of different ages, ethnic backgrounds, and in some cases, disabilities, show what it means to be a true princess in everyday life.

Webb, Amy

Five-year-old Charley gets teased for daydreaming and drawing more than his friends, but when he meets Emma, who is physically different, he needs help remembering that being different is okay.

Barrett, Kendra J

"Carolyn is in a wheelchair, but she doesn't let that stop her! She can do almost everything the other kids can, even if sometimes she has to do it a little differently"-- Provided by publisher.