Book Title: Lets Explore with Cor Cor.
With a can-do attitude, Cor Cor shows that with enough determination anything is possible. Cor Cor’s readers learn about places around the world, as he explores exciting destinations from his wheelchair. Whether admiring the northern lights in Iceland or meeting kangaroos in Australia, no adventure is off-limits.
Author: Cory Lee
Book Title: What Happened to You?
Inspired by Catchpole’s own experience growing up with a disability, the book tackles a serious subject with levity, heart, and understanding. The lighthearted story teaches how to be around people with disabilities and to look past outward appearances.
Author: James Catchpole
Book Title: What’s Inside You Is Inside Me, Too: My Chromosomes Make Me Unique
Every child, every person, every living thing is unique, in big part, due to chromosomes. Children with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome. this book informs people about Down syndrome in a fun illustrative way. In the process, it also explains chromosomes and their role in making every living thing special. A valuable tool for educators, siblings, individuals with Down syndrome, advocates and for those innately curious.
Author: Deslie Quinby was welcomed into the world of Down syndrome when her son JC was born with Down syndrome in 2004. Since then she has been an advocate and champion for her son and active in the Atlanta Down syndrome community.
Book Title: Lemon the Duck
This gorgeous picture book is based on the inspirational story of Lemon the Pekin duck, who was born in an elementary school classroom. Neurological issues make Lemon unable to walk, but with the support of a compassionate teacher and her students, Lemon is still able to become one happy duck!
Author: Laura Backman
Book Title: Something to Say About my Communication Device
The Something to Say Collection promotes self-advocacy, understanding of speech and language differences, and conversation about embracing diversity. Written by a speech-language pathologist, each book features a character with a communication difference. Readers can feel a connection to the characters as they reflect on their own experiences and enjoy the sweet and colorful illustrations.
Author: Eden Molineux
Book Title: I See Things Differently: A First Look at Autism
Are there kids in your life who need a gentle way to learn about autism? This book will show what autism is and how it affects someone who has it. This is a wonderful catalyst for discussion that will help children to better understand and support autistic classmates or siblings.
Author: Pat Thomas
Book Title: All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism
A helpful story for kids with autism spectrum disorders as they follow a young zebra who learns to understand how he is different from the rest of his classmates.
Zane the zebra often feels different. He worries that his classmates don’t notice his “curiosity,” “honesty,” or “caring stripes,” just his “autism stripe.” With the help of his Mama, Zane comes to appreciate all his stripes, including his “autism stripe,” as the unique strengths that make him who he is.
Authors: Shaina Rudolph (Author), Danielle Royer (Author), Jennifer Zivoin (Illustrator)
Book Title: Leah’s Voice
Inspired by two real-life sisters, “Leah’s Voice” is a heartwarming and engaging story about siblings who stick together through the challenges faced by the sister who has autism. The book focuses on what it is like to meet new friends, only to find out that that friend is not so understanding of an autistic child’s differences. Young readers will find the sisters’ devotion inspiring, while simultaneously seeing an example of how to be accepting and inclusive of others.
Authors: Lori Demonia (Author), Monique Turchan (Illustrator)
Book Title: I Talk Like a River
This personal narrative explains how the metaphor of a flowing river helped the author feel less alone with his stuttering. Poet Jordan Scott writes movingly in this powerful and ultimately uplifting book, based on his own experience, and masterfully illustrated by Greenaway Medalist Sydney Smith. A book for any child who feels lost, lonely, or unable to fit in.
Author: Jordan Scott
Book Title: The World Needs More Purple People
A purple person is an everyday superhero! How do you become one? That’s the fun part! Penny Purple will lead you through the steps. Get ready to be silly, exercise your curiosity, use your voice, and be inspired.”–Provided by publisher.
Author: Kristen Bell & Benjamin Hart
Book Title: Don’t Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability
Are there kids in your life who need a comforting and reassuring way to learn about physical disabilities? This is the perfect book and will show the grit that is shown when people with a physical disabilities or special needs live happy and full lives.
Author: Pat Thomas
Book Title: Little Senses (a series)
Written by an author with autism, these stories encouragingly highlight common experiences for neurodivergent kids. Many children can relate to having to cope at noisy places, manage schedule changes, try new foods, or figure out another’s feelings.
Author: Samantha Cotterill
Book Title: Logan’s Greenhouse
Logan needs carrots for his upcoming “pet playdate.” He looks all over his greenhouse, noticing lots of other plants before he finally finds the crunchy orange snacks he wants. Logan uses his wheelchair to move around his accessible greenhouse and collect produce, but those details aren’t the focus of the story—the veggies are! Artist Samara Hardy brings this multi-layered story to life with vivid, cheerful illustrations created from layers of hand painted ink and watercolor texture. Back matter includes a delicious winter carrot soup recipe for little chefs and their adult helpers to try together.
Author: JaNay Brown- Wood
Book Title: More Than Words: So Many Ways to Say What We Mean
This tender, stunningly illustrated picture book explores and celebrates the many forms of expression―signing, speaking, singing, smiling, among others―and culminates in a poignant story about connection and understanding.
Includes additional material at the end of the book with vocabulary, an introduction to various forms of communication, and information about communication access, perfect for back-to-school and classroom discussions.
Author: Roz MacLean
Book Title: Pickles and Her Upstairs Brain
A book about controlling and understanding emotions.
Author: Catherine Young
Book Title: Taco Falls Apart
Fantastically foodie and pun-fully delicious, this book is bound to help little ones understand common thinking mistakes and how unhelpful self-talk can get in the way of feeling strong and confident and able to get through rough spots in their day.
Author: Brenda Miles
Book Title: Rescue and Jessica: A Life Changing Friendship
Based on a real-life partnership between a girl and her service dog. Rescue thought he’d grow up to be a Seeing Eye dog — it’s the family business, after all. When he gets the news that he’s better suited to being a service dog, he’s worried that he’s not up to the task. Then he meets Jessica, a girl whose life is turning out differently than the way she’d imagined it, too. Now Jessica needs Rescue by her side to help her accomplish everyday tasks. And it turns out that Rescue can help Jessica see after all: a way forward, together, one step at a time. An endnote from the authors tells more about the training and extraordinary abilities of service dogs, particularly their real-life best friend and black lab, Rescue.
Author: Jessica Kensky
Book Title: Different is Awesome
Written by Ryan Haack who was born with one hand and set out to bring more inclusion to the children’s book world.
Author: Ryan Haack
Book Title: Ricky, the Rock That Couldn’t Roll
From zippy little pebbles to big strong boulders, the rock friends get together to play and roll around their favorite hill, only to find that one of their friends, Ricky, can’t roll with them. Unlike all of the other rocks, who are all round, Ricky can’t roll because he’s flat on one side. Determined not to leave their friend behind, the rocks set out to help Ricky roll – one way or another.
Author: Jessica Kensky
Book Title: Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability
Shane Burcaw was born with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy, which hinders his muscles’ growth. As a result, his body hasn’t grown bigger and stronger as he’s gotten older―it’s gotten smaller and weaker instead. This hasn’t stopped him from doing the things he enjoys (like eating pizza and playing sports and video games) with the people he loves, but it does mean that he routinely relies on his friends and family for help with everything from brushing his teeth to rolling over in bed.
Author: Shane Burcaw
Book Title: Uniquely Wired: A Story About Autism and Its Gifts
This is the heartwarming and illuminating story of Zak, a young boy living with autism who wants you to understand how he experiences the sights and sounds of the world around him. From the pen of award-winning author Julia Cook, Uniquely Wired is written for K through 6 students and all those who live, work, play or go to school with children on the autism spectrum or those who have other special needs. Tips for understanding children who are Uniquely Wired are included in the storybook.
Author: Julia Cook
Book Title: Josh’s World
Shares the remarkable journey of Joshua Michael Goblowsky, who survived a traumatic brain injury at age three and defied all odds to walk, talk, and inspire others. Through his story, Josh teaches the power of resilience and the importance of asking, “What can I do about it now?” This heartfelt book reminds readers that challenges can be overcome and that hope and determination can brighten any path.