According to the CDC, 1 in 6 children have a developmental disability in the U.S., and 1 in 10 children have a rare disease. Globally, more than 250 million children have a disability. In a world without enough awareness, we have children’s books that make disability more relatable while reminding our kids that we are each unique in our own way. Each of these makes excellent reading for any child you may know. Children, at heart, are compassionate and kind and would love to understand disability better, if given the opportunity.
Don’t miss our other Rare Parenting books lists, which include children’s books featuring wheelchairs, epilepsy, and feeding tubes!
Across disabilities
We Move Together follows a group of children with varying disabilities who connect through their differences. It is read in homes and classrooms alike, and it opens the door to teaching kids about disabilities, social justice, inclusion, accessibility, and community building.
Recommended for ages 6-9
Say Hello begins with the message, “Not everyone is just like you, but they can still be your friends, too!” Each page introduces a new character with a different disability. They each describe their uniqueness and remind the reader that he/she can be their friend, so just say hello! We meet boys and girls with hearing aids, feeding tubes, AAC devices, braces, limb differences, and more.
Recommended for ages 4-8
Sibling stories
Sometimes is a heartwarming sibling story told by Toby about his big sister, Clemmie. Clemmie has a wheelchair and a feeding tube and often sees doctors and goes to the hospital. Toby tells the story of everything that “sometimes” happens in their lives. He mentions that since Clemmie can’t dance, he dances twice as much for her. He mentions that sometimes she holds his hand tight, and sometimes she cuddles with him, too.
Recommended for ages 3+
In My Brother Has Two Belly Buttons, the younger brother views his older brother, who has a g-tube, as Superman. He can eat anytime, even while sleeping. The younger brother loves to help with tube feedings by helping to refill the feeding bag. The book also shares insight from the older brother’s perspective, touching on his anxiety about feeding by mouth. Check out more books featuring feeding tubes here!
Recommended for ages 3+
Emori Wears Green is a story about Hope and her big sister Emori, a young girl with cerebral palsy. The story begins when Hope wakes up from bed to learn it’s Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day, and she and Emori will be wearing green in its honor. Her dad suggests she should tell everyone why the day is so important. Hope then spends the day proudly telling everyone she meets about Emori and everything that makes her unique. Check out more books featuring wheelchairs here!
Recommended for ages 3+
Hearing challenges
Can Bears Ski? is an endearing story about a little boy bear living in a world where he can’t seem to understand what is being said to him. At times, others think he’s ignoring them. He is repeatedly asked, “Can bears ski?” by those he encounters. In time, he understood that he was asked, “Can you hear me?” This tale follows the little bear as he learns he is experiencing deafness and receives his first hearing aids.
Recommended for ages 3-7
Non-verbal / non-speaking
A Day With No Words earned its place at #1 on the New York Times Bestselling Children’s Picture Books list (see the May 28, 2023 list here) due to its heartwarming “day in the life” told from the perspective of a little boy with autism. The author works to remind the reader that many autistic children are capable of just as many thoughts as the next boy or girl—they simply cannot verbalize them in the same way.
Recommended for ages 4-8
Sensory challenges
This Beach is Loud! is one of four books in the Little Senses series by Samantha Cotterill. It follows a little boy who becomes very overwhelmed at the beach. His dad saves the day with a special trick. This book is great for any child with sensory sensitivities and for teaching other children about sensory-sensitive kids.
Other books in the series include It Was Supposed to Be Sunny, Can I Play Too?, and Nope, Never, Not for Me.
Recommended for ages 3-7
Less obvious disabilities
Can I Play Too is one of Mo Willems’ much-loved Elephant & Piggie books. In this story, Gerald and Piggie encounter a snake who wants to join them in their game of catch. The story unfolds as they try to answer the question, “How can you play catch without any arms?” The snake, of course, pushes the point that some people are born with differences. In learning alongside the snake, Gerald and Piggie find a new friend.
Recommended for ages 4-8
While not outwardly disability-specific, Giraffes Can’t Dance is a very charming book, worthy of this list. It follows Gerald, a clumsy giraffe with crooked knees and thin legs. Gerald is saddened when he tries to dance but can’t. Then, a little cricket tells him, “Sometimes, when you’re different, you just need a different song.” Sure enough, Gerald amazes all the animals when he finds music he loves and can dance to it in his own way.
Recommended for ages 3-9
Rare genetic diseases
Charlie Mae’s First Day follows a little girl who was born with a rare genetic disorder and, as a result, cannot talk or walk. She also sometimes has seizures. On her first day, her classmates are eager to learn about her, and to her surprise, they are eager to be friends, too!
Recommended for ages 4-8
Rare is Everywhere is another great story that isn’t specifically about disabilities. Instead, it showcases various unique animals that are special due to something different about them, such as the white alligator and pink grasshopper. It ends with the message, “If you ever feel different… don’t worry, because rare is everywhere!”.
Recommended for ages 3-8
Extraordinary! A Book for Children with Rare Diseases is written with a beautiful perspective from the author, Evren, a child living with an ultra-rare genetic disease. With the help of his mother, Kara Ayik, he explores the topics of identity, personality, self-perception, and inclusion. The book opens the door to discussion around personal identity and how living with a rare disease can shape it in a myriad of positive ways.
Recommended for ages 7+
The Beyond the Diagnosis book is a compilation of photos of a spectacular art collection that travels the country. Each art piece features a child or adult with a rare disease and is painted from a photo. Artists from around the world donate their time and talent to this beautiful initiative. This book is great for any child or family member who would like to learn more about rare diseases and the people they affect — each work includes a bit of a story.
Recommended for ages 7+
Vision challenges
My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay follows a little girl who is blind and surprises everyone when she says she wants to run in the Field Day race. Zulay is determined to succeed and overcome the odds. This book reminds kids to lean on support when it’s available and give it to others as well.
Recommended for ages 4-8
Type 1 Diabetes
Think Big was created to offer children a growth mindset when they feel they are facing limiting personal beliefs about what they can or cannot do. The star of the book has Type 1 diabetes, which is mentioned just once in the book, keeping the focus on “thinking big” and not on diabetes. The author created the book to see Type 1 diabetes represented more often in characters without it being the main focus.
Recommended for ages 4+
Don’t miss our Ultimate Gift Guide for Kids with Needs, and for more great gift ideas, check out our other Rare Parenting Shopping Lists!
