It’s never too soon to start teaching your child about people with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities. Whether you want your child to be better educated about people who may be different from them or you have a child with unique needs who wants to see someone like them represented in their favorite stories, there are plenty of books to explore.
From easy-to-read picture books to more complex narratives for teenagers, here are some stories for all ages with an inclusivity focus. All of these books are available in Anne Arundel County Public Library. Find the nearest branch carrying each title through the catalog search.
Picture books
“What Happened to You?”
by James Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George
“What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off?” Every time Joe goes outside, he gets asked the same questions by other kids. But does he have to answer? Based on the author’s lived experiences, “What Happened to You?” tells a heartwarming tale of friendship and not owing anyone an explanation.
“It’s Okay to be Different”
by Todd Parr
Written by classic children’s book author and illustrator Todd Parr, this book talks about how people’s lives and circumstances are all different, and that that’s perfectly OK.
Early readers
“Aven Green, Music Machine”
by Dusti Bowling
Aven Green is intent on becoming a professional musician. But when she can’t become a piano prodigy in one day, she wonders if she could give up music for good. With the help of Mr. Tom, a guitarist who’s armless like her, Aven finally finds her rhythm.
“Hummingbird”
by Natalie Lloyd
Quirky 12-year-old Olive, who has brittle bone disease, is thrilled to finally start attending middle school after being home-schooled all her life. But after an embarrassing first day, she wonders if she’ll ever fit in. Hearing the rumor of a magical, wish-granting hummingbird that lives near her new school, Olive teams up with some unlikely friends to find the bird and have her wish granted.
Middle grade
“Just Under the Clouds”
by Melissa Sarno
Since her father died, Cora’s family has been homeless. She and her mother take care of Adare, her sister with special needs. Cora’s mother relocates the family to a friend’s apartment after their room at the homeless shelter is ransacked, and Cora finds solace in her father’s “tree journal” and his search for a special tree that can grow in any conditions.
“Bluefish”
by Pat Schmaltz
Travis has gotten to eighth grade while hiding the learning disability that makes reading difficult for him. He has it hard enough living with his alcoholic grandfather in a cramped apartment, but when he meets his new teacher, Mr. McQueen, and sassy, flamboyant classmate Velveeta, they both help him to tackle a book about local wildlife.
Teens
“Piper”
by Jay Asher, illustrated by
Jeff Stokely and Gideon Kendall
This graphic novel tells the story of Maggie, who’s been exiled from her village because she is deaf. She fills the time by imagining adventures for herself, so when she meets the mysterious Piper, she leaps at the chance to follow him into his magical world. But in this “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” retelling, there’s more to Piper than meets the eye…
“Unbecoming”
by Jenny Downham
Katie’s life is hard enough already with her judgmental friends and controlling, overbearing mother. When her dementia-ridden grandmother, Mary, shows up out of nowhere, Katie starts putting the pieces of Mary’s past back together. This intergenerational narrative helps Katie contextualize her mother and grandmother’s relationship, the way her mother treats her and her worries about her sexuality and her future.
