Children’s Books About Classroom Differences
Today, I am sharing books that can help families and classrooms have conversations about differences. These books promotes conversations about kindness, differences, disabilities, ways people think, and how a classroom can support all of their students. Many of these books will be a good read during this ‘back to school’ season. The books can help kids work through how to communicate and be a good friend to their entire class. These books aren’t just for August thought. Keep them in mind for use when a child returns to school after a illness or injury and to address differences and behaviors throughout the year.
I also want to be sure to point out that I have shared some books on inclusivity before that would also be great additions to this list. Just Ask! by Sonia Sotomajor and Included by Janeen Sanders are two that I remember being especially great for classroom reads. You can find them by going to my blog home page and typing ‘inclusivity’ into the search bar.
While each of these books is an obvious addtion to every classroom, please also keep in mind for the hospital libraries. As kids experience a new diagnoses or injury, it can be important to talk about what it will be like going to school. Reminding them that there are other kids with disabilities and differences and that their community will have their back. These can also be great adds to home libraries, guiding kids to be good friends and to understand the world around them.
Lots of Ways to Play: Exploring How Friends Interact by Leslie Kimmelman
This is a book with Sesame Street characters including Julia who has autism. The book itself doesn’t mention autism or any other diagnosis. Instead it just focuses on how great friends are, but that sometimes playing with a friend requires patience. The book also talks about types of play like side by side play and making up games that work for everyone. The book talks about differences that can exist between friends like being noisy and wanting quiet and liking to be around people and needing space. The book ends by encouraging the reader to share their preferences in play. This book would be a great addition to daycares and preschool classrooms. Great for young kids or kids who are struggling with understanding how to interact with other kids.
https://amzn.to/45lLklX
Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen
This book starts by talking about the different things that kids might think about when they hear the word family. Then continues to share that their class is their family too which means connecting, respecting each other, making friends, and making mistakes. This book would be a lovely book to start the year with and then maybe bring out throughout the year when the kids need reminders. The book’s illustrations show kids with disabilities and text generally mentions differences, but the book does not dig any deeper into that. The book has more focus on connection and creating an environment where everyone can thrive and feel good. Appropriate for young to middle elementary aged kids.
https://amzn.to/4qcx2h6
You Can Say Hi with Only a Smile by Merriam Saunders
This book talks about the many different way people say “hello” from the perspective of a school aged girl. She notices that people greet each other in different ways from a wave to a node to a hug to words. This book reminds the reader that different things feel good to different people at different times. It also shows a child using an AAC (communication device) as one way that people say hello and a child using sign language. This book can be a gentle way to help kids embrace different communication styles, and it can be a good way to encourage children to assess and be open to how their friends might prefer to say hello.
https://amzn.to/4fVmUEA
Wish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
This book is about a school aged boy who is different from all of his friends. He has a hard time focusing and has lots of wild ideas and fascinations. Some kids tease him and point out his differences. Being aware of his differences fills him with negative self-talk, but one day another kid on the playground builds him up, reminding him that the world is more beautiful and special because everyone is different. This is a good book to remind kids to be kind and that different things are harder for different people. A good neurodiversity read for preschool through middle elementary aged kids.
https://amzn.to/4fMWExy
Together, a Forest: Drawing Connections Between Nature’s Diversity and Our Own by Roz MacLean
This book isn’t for everyone, and at first, I wondered about including it because of the complex nature systems that it relates to the classmate’s different traits. In the end, that is exactly why I did include it. The class in the book is taking a trip into the forest where they are all supposed to find something in nature they relate to. The book covers a wide variety of applicable differences in people. One student can’t find anything she wants to find, and then when she does she falls in the creek ruining her chance to draw it. The entire class uses it’s different strong suits to support her, and in the end, she learns that her chosen flower the orchid, also relies on it’s neighbors to thrive. This book would be great to relate to classroom science while also encouraging an inclusive environment. It could be great for middle through upper elementary or science camp, cub scouts/girl scouts, or a family who wants to relate the world’s diversity to the people in it.
https://amzn.to/4x1iOm0
Maybe Just Ask Me! By Katie Mazika
This book is about a girl going to a new school. She is bald and wears a scarf on her head. She also wears an eye patch. She knows that the kids might need a little time, and she tries to do what she can to help. She introduces herself to the class and she tries to say “hi” to new friends. The kids get caught up in talking to each other and making up stories about why she looks different. They don’t talk to her. They just talk about her. Finally, she takes things into her own hands by telling the entire class her story. The book doesn’t actually tell her story, it just shows her with a doctor and IV medicine next to a big dragon. So kids will likely be curious, but the very last page tells the real life story of the author and her fight with cancer. This book focuses on the idea that it is better to ask and be kindly curious than it is to ignore and be “polite”. This can start an important conversation for classrooms or at home about differences and how to be a good friend. Good for preschool through middle elementary aged kids.
https://amzn.to/4fQB1MS
As always, you can use the links below to learn more about each book. A purchase through one of those links sends me a small commission which helps me keep this blog going or you can see if you can find the book at your local library or book store!
