Children’s Books About Wheelchairs

All of the books I am sharing today are lovely beautiful or silly stories that teach the reader something about being in a wheelchair. Some are about a parent in a wheelchair. Some are about a child. One is even about a dog. Children can learn through these stories. They may feel seen or relate to the experience themselves, or they may become more empathetic to the experience and the challenges that come with it. Having these books in your home, your classroom, or your hospital playroom encourages conversations about diversity, inclusivity, friendship, and adaptivity. For those who work with hospitalized children, some may also promote some hospital fun, finding the play in using a wheelchair. So I challenge you to find one or five that you relate to and add them to your collection.

Reading below and using the links can help you learn more about each book. If you purchase through the link, I do get a small commission which supports further efforts to find good books.

Yes, I Can! - A Girl and Her Wheelchair by Kendra J. Barrett

This book tells the story of a 1st grader who uses a wheelchair. It shows lots of situations that she encounters and how the girl takes them on. In some situations, she can do the same things that the other kids can. In some situations, she has to do them differently. The book also shows certain situations that she can’t join in like a trampoline party and a running race. The book shows how she adapts and finds ways to be involved. The book could be helpful talking to preschool or young elementary school kids to help them build empathy and be a good friend. The book also includes a note for parents and teachers with tips about how to talk about disabilities with kids.
https://amzn.to/4gz408B

Mama Car by Lucy Catchpole

This book is told by a sweet child whose mother uses a wheelchair. The child talks about the expeditions they go on in the chair, how they ride along or clear the way. The child also talks about how when they fall, they get scooped up into the Mama Car and snuggled, and that ultimately the best part of the Mama Car is that it holds Mama.  This is a great book for young children that shows the different ways people live and adapt. This could also be used to introduce a classroom or peer to the idea of a parent being in a wheelchair.
https://amzn.to/4x5yZ11

Days With Dad by Nari Hong

This book is told from the perspective of a child whose dad can’t walk. The book explains that he has been like that since he was a baby. In the book, the child says that the dad often apologizes because he can’t do many of the things other dads do, like go ice skating with the child, play soccer, or ride bikes. The child says she doesn’t care and each time he says she likes watching the birds together or creating art or cooking. The book demonstrates that there are lots of ways to relate to each other and while the handicapped parent is focused on what they can’t do, the child just likes to be together. This might be an important message for adults, just as much as kids.  Simply written and appropriate for preschool through middle elementary (plus caregivers and adults!) I was only able to find this book used, and must be currently out of print. Looks like there are still some used version available in good condition:
https://amzn.to/3Tq6mgy

Outside Amelia’s Window by Caroline Nastro

This book is a story about a girl who has new neighbors. She sees them playing outside, but doesn’t want to join them because she doesn’t “feel ready”. The illustrations show a wheelchair and imply that this is a new change in her life.  She plays in her room and one day a bird steals a bit of ribbon from her windowsill to start a new nest. She watches the nest grow, the eggs are laid, and two baby birds are born. She learns about them and what a journey they will make when they hibernate. This inspires the young girl and she decides that once they leave the nest she will try as well. She does and she makes friends with her new neighbors. It shows the many adventures she goes on in her wheelchair. This could be a great book for kids who have had a recent change and need to try something new to adapt. It gives permission and normalizes waiting a bit to feel ready, but also embracing the change and trying something new. This book would be an important addition to hospital libraries and school libraries. Great for preschool through middle elementary.
https://amzn.to/4h2ZZJR

Poojo’s Got Wheels by CHARROW

This is a sweet and very simple book about a dog who doesn’t have his two rear legs. He uses wheels to get around. He can do “anything” and his wheels have pockets to store stuff. He’s a good friend, he’s fast, and he problem solves when he gets a flat. While this book doesn’t have a lot of text or in depth character development, the book is positive and playful and normalizes different ways to move.  Great for conversations about wheelchairs, but also other adaptive equipment. Could be a way to encourage a playful outlook on using wheelchairs in the hospital. Great for very young children through early elementary aged kids.
https://link.amazon/B03t30Eq4

The Wheels on the Costume by Cindy Jin

This is a cute board book showing different wheelchair based Halloween costumes. The book has two built-in wheels that kids can spin. Each page is cut out so that the wheels fit with every costume. This is a great book for kids who love wheels, love to spin things, have wheel chair users in their life, or may be dependent on a wheelchair in the future. The text is written to the tune of “the wheels on the bus”.  Good for very young children through preschool. Could also promote decorating wheelchairs in the hospital or could be partnered with a design a wheel chair art project.
https://link.amazon/B0c435sea

Fastest Woman on Earth: The Story of Tatyana McFadden

This book tells the story of a young girl who grew up in an orphanage in Russia, but then later gets adopted by her moms in America. The book does a nice job of explaining the orphanage and adoption in simple words. It also talks about how her legs didn’t work, but that she got introduced to a wheelchair when she was adopted. She tries many sports and excels in many. This book is a great read for any children featuring a strong woman who does a lot despite so much adversity. It could also be an empowering read for a child who uses a wheelchair.  Good for preschool through middle elementary.
https://amzn.to/4x1P5Zy

All of Apolonia by Patty Cisneros Prevo

This story is about a girl who uses a wheelchair and is in a wheelchair basketball league with her friends. She is planning a birthday party complete with all the things she loves - wheelchair basketball, her families’ Mexican food, and her family and friends. She starts to doubt whether anyone will like it because it will introduce everyone to things they aren’t used to either new food or wheelchair basketball.  Of course, in the end it is a huge hit. This book is a relatable story about having multiple facets to life and belonging to many cultural groups.  This story could be a great way to start a conversation about the many ways people live and being open to learning and appreciating each other.
https://amzn.to/4pHlmmp

Lucas at the Paralympics by Igor Plohl

This book is written by a paralympian. It tells the story of a lion who falls off a ladder and has a spinal injury. He learns about the paralympics, different wheelchairs, and prosthetics. He then trains for the paralympics with a friend and attends. The book talks about different sports he watches while he is there and some friends he meets that compete in the winter paralympics. Each page also has little facts about the paralympics history and events. This book could be a great way to have a conversation about all the things that people can do despite differences or injuries. The book could also be good for kids curious about wheelchairs and prosthetics. Good for preschool through middle elementary school kids.
https://amzn.to/4vUEtuu

Lucas Makes a Comeback by Igor Plohl

This book tells the author’s story (except he’s illustrated as a lion). In the story, the lion falls off a ladder and injures his spine. He can no longer do the things that he once did. He can no longer teach kids like he used to. Then his friends come to help. They help him problem solve. They help him buy a car that he can drive without using his legs, they help him find an apartment where he can do everything he needs. He teaches again. He returns to most of his daily tasks. He starts playing sports again and once again, feels independent. Again this book is appropriate for young children. It could be a good read for any child, learning about persevering and adapting. It could also be especially helpful for children who have a wheelchair user in their life.
https://amzn.to/4fGQhKM

Adventurous Adeline and the Back-To-School Party by Mary Fashik

This is a cute easy chapter book (only 5 chapters!) about a girl in her wheelchair and her neighbor/ best friend. The book is a lot about two school aged kids who like to have fun and connect about food, music, and TV shows.  It does include several disability-related topics including conversations not having to be about the disability, certain locations not being accessible, and how her disability is handled at school. Everything is easier with a good friend and while their friendship has little to do with the wheelchair, the main character is able to confide and problem solve with her friend. The main character has dreams to become an inventor and to design a wheelchair that makes the world even more accessible. The story makes it easy for kids to connect with the girls, sympathetic to their struggles, and creative in accessibility space. This book could help your school-ager see the world in a new way and promote conversations about accessibility and diversity. If you have a school-ager who uses a chair, the book may help them feel seen and normalize some of their experiences.
https://amzn.to/3RDJUjl