It’s important for children to feel represented in the books they read. It’s also important for books to expose children to the beautiful diversity of our world.
This includes the varying abilities and disabilities around the globe. To promote inclusivity and representation, we’ve rounded up 53 books featuring characters with disabilities.
In these books, either the main character or a secondary character has a disability. Many of the books feature disability as the main storyline, but it’s not central to the plot in others.
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1
"Emmanuel's Dream"
"Emmanuel's Dream" tells the true story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, a Ghanaian athlete and disability rights activist. (Available here.)
2
"Hello Goodbye Dog"
This book is about the bond between a girl who just happens to use a wheelchair and her dog. (Available here.)
3
"The Girl Who Thought In Pictures"
"The Girl Who Thought In Pictures" tells the story of world-renowned scientist Dr. Temple Grandin, who defied expectations of what autistic people could accomplish. (Available here.)
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4
5
"Different Is Awesome"
"Different Is Awesome" is the result of a Kickstarter campaign from Ryan Haack, who was born with one hand and who set out to bring more inclusion to the children’s book world. (Available here.)
6
"We’re Amazing, 1, 2, 3!"
This Sesame Street storybook focuses on a 2015 character addition: Elmo's friend Julia, who has autism. (Available here.)
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7
8
"Uniquely Me"
Author Trace Wilson's life as someone born without a right hand motivated him to share his story about learning to love his limb difference. (Available here.)
9
"Just Ask!"
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote this book that depicts kids of different disabilities working together to create a garden. (Available here.)
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10
"Thank You, Mr. Falker"
"Thank You, Mr. Falker" follows a girl with dyslexia and a teacher who believes in her ability to succeed. (Available here.)
11
"Rescue & Jessica"
Written by Boston Marathon bombing survivors Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, "Rescue & Jessica" focuses on the relationship between a service dog and a girl with physical disabilities. (Available here.)
12
"My Brother Charlie"
Actor and advocate Holly Robinson Peete collaborated with her daughter Ryan to write "My Brother Charlie," which is based on Ryan's experience having a twin brother with autism. (Available here.)
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13
"Six Dots"
This picture book biography shares the story of Louis Braille – the blind man who created the system of reading and writing that people who are blind or have low vision still use today. (Available here.)
14
"My Friend Suhana"
Author Shaila Abdullah teamed up with her 10-year-old daughter Aanyah to write this book about a friendship between two girls, one of whom has cerebral palsy. (Available here.)
15
"The Animal Boogie"
Kids of different cultural backgrounds and physical disabilities meet animals in the jungle in this lively book. (Available here.)
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16
"Completely Me"
Justine Green's "Completely Me" is based on her own life, disability and coming-of-age journey. (Available here.)
17
"Happy in Our Skin"
This book highlights different characters' families and experiences as it celebrates the beauty of diversity. (Available here.)
18
"The Push"
Based on their own friendship, Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck's book follows Marcus and his friend, John, who uses a wheelchair, through their various adventures together. (Available here.)
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19
20
"Why Are You Looking at Me? I Just Have Down Syndrome"
Inspired by her daughter who has Down syndrome, Lisa Tompkins wrote this book about embracing everyone's differences and connecting with people who may not seem like you from the outside. (Available here.)
21
"Benny Doesn't Like To Be Hugged"
"Benny Doesn't Like To Be Hugged" highlights the unique traits of the titular character, who has autism. (Available here.)
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22
"Slug Days"
"Slug Days" follows a girl on the spectrum named Lauren and provides insight into the way she sees the world. (Available here.)
23
"Amazing"
"Amazing" is another book in which the main character uses a wheelchair that's not central to the plot, which focuses on his pet dragon. (Available here.)
24
"All The Way To The Top"
This book tells the story of activist Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins and her participation in the "Capitol Crawl" to advocate for the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Available here.)
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25
26
"Meeting Mimi"
"Meeting Mimi" follows a girl with a physical disability as she navigates a new school and meets new classmates. (Available here.)
27
"Hands & Hearts"
In this book, a mother and daughter spend a day at the beach and communicate in American Sign Language. (Available here.)
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28
"A Friend For Henry"
"A Friend for Henry" follows a boy on the autism spectrum as he looks for a friend who will understand him and appreciate their differences. (Available here.)
29
"Not So Different"
Disability advocate and social media personality Shane Burcaw opens up about his life with spinal muscular atrophy in this book for kids. (Available here.)
30
"Sign Up Here"
A girl with a disability works through feelings of exclusion and loneliness as she tries to find the right club for her. (Available here.)
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31
"Why Johnny Doesn't Flap"
"Why Johnny Doesn't Flap" turns the tables and explores how a neurotypical boy seems off to his friend who has autism. (Available here.)
32
"What's Cool About Braille Code School?"
Gracie Benedith-Cane wrote "What’s Cool About Braille Code School?" in honor of her son Wani, who is legally blind. The book shows readers what it's like to navigate the world as someone who is blind or has low vision. (Available here.)
33
"Mama Zooms"
A little boy plays with his mom on her "zooming machine," aka wheelchair, in this sweet story. (Available here.)
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34
"My Ocean is Blue"
A girl with a physical disability describes the sensory experience of being at the beach in this lyrical book. (Available here.)
35
"Benji, The Bad Day, And Me"
"Benji, The Bad Day, And Me" tells the story of two brothers, one of whom has autism. (Available here.)
36
"She Persisted In Sports"
This installment in Chelsea Clinton's "She Persisted" series features the stories of American women athletes, including wheelchair racer Jean Driscoll. (Available here.)
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37
38
"The Sound Of Colors"
A girl who is going blind uses her imagination to explore the world around her. (Available here.)
39
"We'll Paint The Octopus Red"
"We'll Paint The Octopus Red" follows a big sister as her family welcomes her little brother, who has Down syndrome, into the world. (Available here.)
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40
"This Is My School"
Readers get a tour of the protagonist's school in this book which features accessible ramps and a teacher in a wheelchair. (Available here.)
41
"I Am Not A Label"
"I Am Not A Label" highlights 34 artists, thinkers, athletes and activists with disabilities. (Available here.)
42
"Juan Has The Jitters"
This book about a boy with autism promotes inclusion, kindness and community. (Available here.)
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43
"Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon"
"Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon" features a character who appears to use a wheelchair. (Available here.)
44
45
"Mariah Finds A Way"
The titular Mariah, who is blind, exceeds her parents' expectations by successfully running their fruit shop on her own. (Available here.)
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46
47
"Mr. Gringle's Magical Wheelchair"
As the title suggests, this story focuses on a magical wheelchair and the courage it gives one girl to believe in herself. (Available here.)
48
"Keisha's Doors"
An autism diagnosis and subsequent work with a therapist drive the plot of "Keisha's Doors." (Available here.)
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49
50
51
"My Pal, Victor"
In the final illustration, the reader learns that the title character of this friendship-focused book uses a wheelchair. (Available here.)
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52
53
"Dan And Diesel"
This story is about the close friendship between a blind boy and his guide dog. (Available here.)
This story is part of a HuffPost Parents project called “I See Me,” a series for parents and kids on the power of representation. We know how important it is for kids to see people who look like them on the biggest stages, including politics, sports, entertainment and beyond. Throughout February, we’ll explore the importance of representation in teaching kids about difference, acceptance, privilege and standing up for others.
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