Children's Books About Inclusion and Celebrating Diversity
* This image uses the old name for the ‘Is There a Book for That?’ blog/book list.
I feel so fortunate that we live in a time when so many thoughtful authors are creating so many amazing books about diversity and inclusion. Today, I wanted to share some of my current favorites. When a child experieinces a new diagnosis or handicap, it can be really important to remind them that they are special for so many reason and they are not alone in being "different". These books can help them find ways that they feel comfortable handling their difference in a group of kids. Also please remember that even kids who have dealt with their "difference" their entire life will need suppport at different times as they become more aware of how others treat them and as their development makes them more self-aware. These aren't one time books... these are books to keep on your shelf and bring out again and again. I also have to recommend these books for classroom and counselor's office. Conversations as a class are so important in creating an environment where everyone feels safe and valued.
Don’t forget that there are several books that have been shared throughout the year about specific differences. (Rare disease, CP, limb differences, etc) Don’t hesitate to scroll through other blog posts and find more specific titles (or let me know if you are looking for a topic that hasn’t been covered - I am looking for inspiration for my January list updates!) Lastly, I have included links to each of these books to make them easy to find. If you use these links to buy the book, I do make a small commission which helps me be able to spend time looking for more great books (the cost isn't any higher for you and the author still makes the same amount... Amazon just makes a little less :) ).
Included by Jayneen Sanders
This book talks about ways that kids can be different and why inclusion is important. It tells more about 6 kids who have differences. It talks about how children can interact and be good friends with each of these kids. The 6 children that the book focuses on have cerebral palsy, autism, deafness, down’s syndrome, ADHD, and limb difference (prosthetic legs). This would be a great book for caregivers to read with their kids. It might lead to conversations about different kids they encounter during their day giving kids a chance to ask questions, understand, and learn how to be a good friend. This book could also be awesome for a elementary teacher or a school counselor.
https://amzn.to/4pKpyR5
Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor
In this book, each child explains what makes them different and special like diabetes, nut allergy, asthma, deafness, blindness, dyslexia, ADHD, autism, etc. Things are well-explained in words that kids can understand. After each child/explanation, the reader is asked a question: “How do you use your voice?” “Are you really good at something?” “What is helpful for you?” This is a great way to involve the reader and help them relate to the variety of experiences each child has. This book would be great for any teacher or school nurse to talk about differences, health, and inclusion. This book could also be super helpful in the hospital when a child is diagnosed with something that will make them different than many of their peers. It helps kids see that everyone is different in their own way. I think this book could be good for preschool through upper elementary, but some of the explanations are a little long -so preschoolers might break it up into multiple story times.
https://amzn.to/446h5zb
You Are Enough: A Book Inspired by Sofia Sanchez by Margaret O’Hair
This book directs the reader to embrace their differences and to be themselves. The book builds on positivity and living with confidence and kindness. It is written in second person, and instead of telling a story, it gives directions like “Don’t let anyone try to stop you from taking a chance or trying something new” and “Surround yourself with people who love you”. These statements are surrounded by illustrations of children of different ability levels following these statements. The author of this book was inspired by Sofia, a girl who was adopted from Ukraine and has Down Syndrome. So the book has parts of her story in the front and the back of the book, plus a Q & A about Down Syndrome. This book is good for preschool through middle elementary and could be helpful in building confidence and encouraging kids to try even when things aren’t easy.
Paperback - https://amzn.to/4pI6Ol3
Hardcover - on sale! https://amzn.to/48tSiqh
Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival
This is the story of a child who always felt very “normal” until one day he grew a beautiful pair of wings. He didn’t know how his parents and the rest of the world would react to his new wings so he started wearing a coat that covered them up all of the time. The coat makes him uncomfortable a lot of the time, and so he finally gets sick of it and reveals his wings. He finds other kids with wings too and is much happier to be himself than to pretend to be “normal”. This story is a lovely metaphor for any child who struggles with what the world will do if their differences are revealed. Great for young children through middle elementary.
https://amzn.to/446gMEx
The Kids’ Book of Diversity by Catherine Stephenson, Jenny Stephenson, Hiruni Kariyawasam
This book covers a wide variety of differences from families, skin color, houses, abilities, strengths, bodies, conditions, etc. While I think it would be an appropriate addition to a hospital library as oftentimes kids can become focused on their differences, it is an essential addition to every classroom/school counselor’s office. Each page spread covers a different kind of difference, while consistently reinforcing the idea that all of these differences are okay. The book also asks some questions that help kids relate. Good for young-middle elementary.
https://amzn.to/4amWdrm
All Siblings Are Important: Words and Artwork That Celebrate All Sibling Relationships and the Feelings They Bring by Laura Camerona
I am resharing this book because I wrote it specifically to address the topic of siblings with differences. This book is about all kinds of sibling relationships. It honors the many feelings that come with being a sibling and is a good conversation starter for caregivers who want to talk to children about the dynamics or feelings happening within a sibling relationship or because of a sibling's differences. The book promotes empathy, while also acknowledging that one sibling does not have full responsibility for the well-being of another sibling. The book refers to potential feelings that could come in situations where one child is sick or has a disability, but there are no specific scenarios covered. This book would be best for elementary school children.
https://amzn.to/4iwzqvr
We Can Play! A Book About Adapting Play for a Fun, Inclusive Team By Laura Camerona
This book is a simply-worded fun book about a coach with a team of animals that like to have fun. The book introduces several animal teammates and some characteristics that make them fun and special. The book then shows how their beloved coach adapts the play so that all can be involved. (The book depicts animals in different kinds of wheel chairs and with a variety of energy and attention levels). This book could be helpful for sports/dance programs, PE classes, and classrooms that want to promote including everyone in team activities. There are some tips for adults at the end of the book as well. This book would be good for young children-middle elementary (developmentally typical). Full disclosure, I created this book for We Can Play, a special non-profit that started in Des Moines but is now licensing inclusive team play programs across the country!
https://amzn.to/4iBuuFA
