Disabilities in Children's Books
Theme Study by Shannon Atako
Teaching children about disabilities in a respectful, age-appropriate manner can be difficult. Finding books that include characters that have a disability can be equally as challenging. Here are some books to make the job easier!
Rolling Along with goldilocks and the three bears
Finally, a fairy tale that children with disabilities can relate to! In this twist on a classic story, Baby Bear gets around in a wheelchair and meets Goldilocks when she sneaks into his house and is fascinated by his motorized bed.
Teaching Ideas
Physical disabilities, Friendship, Fairy tales
We'll paint the octopus red
When Emma learns that her new baby brother Isaac has Down syndrome, she worries that he won't be able to do all of the wonderful things she has planned. She soon learns, however, that with patience and time, there's nothing that her and Isaac won't be able to do.
Teaching Ideas
Down syndrome, Mental disabilities, Perseverance
king for a day
Basant is an annual festival in Pakistan where people battle kites from high atop rooftops. What began as a Hindu celebration of spring has transcended religious and cultural boundaries. Malik needs a wheelchair for mobility, but that won't stop him from being the best kite fighter. Will he succeed? Read to find out!
Teaching Ideas
Basant festival, Physical disabilities, Determination, Bullying
thank you, mr. faulker
Based on the author's childhood is the story of little Trisha. She can't wait to learn how to read, but every time she looks at a book, the letters and numbers turn into a jumbled mess. Trisha tries and tries, but gets called "dummy"and "stupid" for her efforts, until the arrival of a new teacher, Mr. Falker. He sets out to prove to Trisha that with a different approach and a little hard work, she can learn to read!
Teaching Ideas
Learning disabilities, Dyslexia, Bullying, Perserverance
the art of miss chew
This book continues the story of Trisha, who after learning how to read, finds herself enamored with art. She is overjoyed to take art classes with Miss Chew, until a mean substitute tries to force her to quit art and focus on studying. Based on the author's own story, this book is a heartwarming tale of how one little girl discovered she was an artist.
Teaching Ideas
Learning disabilities, Art, Adversity, Determination