Look What We Can Do!
By Brittany Adkins and Kristen Bell
Brittany Adkins and Kristen Bell tell the light-hearted tale of a little boy named Nolan and his best friend Teddy as they cruise around in Nolan’s new power wheelchair. The two explorers find happiness and humour in the world around them, despite the new obstacles they face.
christianfaithpublishing.com
Painting in the Dark: Esref Armagan, Blind Artist
By Rachelle Burk
In 1953, Esref Armagan was born completely blind to a poor family in Istanbul, Turkey. Much of his childhood was spent in his father’s shop, where his curiosity to create and draw developed. Armagan never received a formal education–instead, he experienced the world through touch and learned to visually reproduce his surroundings using his hands. This is an inspirational story for young artists of all abilities.
tumblehomelearning.com
Thank You, Mr. Falker
By Patricia Polacco
Patricia Polacco is now a well-loved children’s book author, but she was once a little girl called Trish who was just starting school. She was a talented artist, but every time she looked at words on a page they became jumbled. A very special teacher by the name of Mr. Falker recognized Trish’s dyslexia and encouraged her to overcome her reading disability. This is an uplifting story for any child who needs encouragement and a tribute to all the special teachers who make a difference in children’s lives.
penguin.com
A Well-Balanced Tale
By Amy Kaplan
This book tells a whimsical story of disability through the tale of Barnaby, a kangaroo who is unable to hop. It is engagingly illustrated with themes of curiosity, discovery, innovation and acceptance. Rather than focusing on fitting in and disability, we are given a story that celebrates difference and ability.
lulu.com
Wonder
By R.J. Palacio
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. He’s now starting fifth grade at Beecher Prep and all he wants is for others to treat him like an ordinary kid, but his new classmates can’t get past his extraordinary face. This book begins with Auggie’s point of view and moves to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend and others. These perspectives paint a portrait of a community’s difficulties in empathizing and showing compassion and acceptance.
penguinrandomhouse.ca
A Boy and a Jaguar
By Alan Rabinowitz
Alan loves animals, but he’s saddened by the big cathouse at the Bronx Zoo. He doesn’t like how alone the cats are in their empty cages. Are they being punished? He desperately wants to be their champion and their voice, but he stutters uncontrollably—except for when he speaks to animals, and then he is fluent. This is a real-life story about a man searching for his voice and finding a way to fulfill a promise to talk for animals and people who cannot speak for themselves.
hmhco.com
How I Learn: A Kid’s Guide to Learning Disability
By Brenda S. Miles and Colleen A. Patterson
In How I learn, authors Miles and Patterson introduce the concept of learning disability in a digestible format for younger students. This supportive and upbeat story reassures readers that they are capable and can use “smart strategies” to help themselves learn. A note to parents, caregivers and professionals is included, with suggestions to guide discussion and help children identify their particular strengths and challenges.
apa.org
