Kids’ Books, Videos, and Other Resources on Disability Awareness and Acceptance

Looking for resources to explore with your kid and spark a discussion about disability acceptance and advocacy? Our research team and parents in our community have gathered some great resources to help our kiddos along their self-empowerment journeys. Be sure to also check out part I of this series, which provides books, TED Talks, and online resources for adults. And check out the children’s version of Judy’s book, Being Heumann, which was released in February 2021!

(Consider purchasing books from these booksellers if you’d like to support businesses owned by people with disabilities!)

Preschool and kindergarten age

• Come Meet Drayden by Dana Young-Askew: Drayden, who has autism, spends a typical day with his siblings in this book celebrating diversity.
• Come Over to My House by Eliza Hull, Sally Rippin, and by Daniel Gray-Barnett: This rhyming book showcases kids with all kinds of disabilities playing and having fun.
• Different—A Great Thing to Be! by Heather Avis: This rhyming book helps kids appreciate differences and create a kinder world.
• Eli, Included by Michelle Sullivan: This picture book was written by the parent of a child with Down syndrome to help introduce him to his new classmates in kindergarten.
• I Am Connor by Connor and Fred Rodriguez: Written by a boy with Down syndrome and his parent, this book emphasizes that kids with disabilities enjoy fun activities like all kids do.
• I Am Me: Just As Life Is Meant To Be by Katelyn S. Herrygers: This picture book focuses on helping kids appreciate what they have in common and giving them confidence that they can handle anything.
• It's Okay To Be Different by Todd Parr: This colorful book encourages every child to embrace what makes them unique, and it's also available in a bilingual English-Spanish version.
• Juan Has the Jitters by Aneta Cruz: In this picture book, Juan, who has autism, helps calm himself down before an exciting event by doing his favorite thing: math!
• Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor: Judge Sotomayor, who grew up as a child with diabetes, shares a colorful story about embracing differences and understanding others by asking questions.
• More Alike Than Different by Gail Hamblin: This book features a cute puppy to help teach kids about Down syndrome.
• My Friend has Down Syndrome by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos: This book is about two friends, one typically developing and one with Down syndrome, who support each other with their strengths and talents.
• This is Ella by Krista Ewert: This book helps kids understand Down syndrome in easy-to-understand language and teaches the importance of inclusion and friendship.
• This Is How We Play: A Celebration of Disability & Adaptation By Jessica Slice, Caroline Cupp, and Kayla Harren: Written by disability activists, this book encourages kids to be creative and adaptive so that kids of all abilities can play together.
• We're Amazing 1,2,3! A Story about Friendship and Autism by Leslie Kimmelman: Beloved Sesame Street character Elmo introduces his friend Julia, who has autism, and helps readers understand that all kids love to play and be included.
• When Charley Met Emma by Amy Webb: This book features a child who has limb differences and uses a wheelchair, as her classmates learn how to treat children who are different from them.
• Wiggles, Stomps, and Squeezes Calm My Jitters Down by Lindsey Rowe Parker: This fun book helps explain sensory processing differences so that kids with and without sensory issues can understand.
• You Are Enough by Margaret O'Hair: Written together with Sofia Sanchez, an actress with Down syndrome, this book helps kids embrace their differences and have confidence to be themselves.
• You’re All Kinds of Wonderful by Nancy Tillman: This rhyming book teaches that every child has talents that make them special, even if it takes time to uncover them.
• A Day With No Words by Tiffany Hammond and Kate Cosgrove: This book is written from the perspective of a nonspeaking boy with autism, sharing a typical day in his life with colorful illustrations.

Elementary school age

• 47 Strings: Tessa’s Special Code by Becky Carey: This award-winning picture book teaches about a girl with Down syndrome and the similarities and differences she shares with her typical sibling.
• All the Way to the Top: How One Girl's Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything by Annette Bay Pimentel: This book tells the real-life story of Jennifer Keelan, a wheelchair user who participated in the "Capitol Crawl" to advocate for the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Born to Sparkle: A Story About Achieving Your Dreams by Megan Bomgaars: This book teaches kids not to limit themselves and to work hard toward their goals.
• From Frustrated to Feeling Good: Jasmine's Way by Joyful Jasmine Co.: Inspired by a neurodivergent family, this book helps kids understand emotions and work through them.
• Ian's Walk: A Story about Autism by Laurie Lears and Karen Ritz: In this book, an older sister realizes how much she cares for her autistic brother when he gets lost at the park.
• Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability by Shane Burcaw: The author, who's grown up with spinal muscular atrophy, talks about his daily life, including the support he needs and the fun he has.
• We Move Together by Kelly Fritsch: This book celebrates the disability community by focusing on a group of friends with a variety of disabilities.
• We'll Paint the Octopus Red by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen: This book tells the story of an older sister preparing to welcome a new baby with Down syndrome.
• What's Inside You, It’s Inside Me Too: My Chromosomes Make Me Unique by Deslie Quinby and Jeannie Visootsak: With simple illustrations and plain language, this book helps kids understand what chromosomes are and explains Down syndrome.
• Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes by Jennifer Elder and Marc Thomas: Explore notable figures from history, science, art, philosophy, and more who share traits in common with kids with autism.
• We Want to Go to School!: The Fight for Disability Rights by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and Janine Leffler: This book tells the true story of the 1971 court case that led to laws ensuring every child with a disability could receive an education.
• Sam's Super Seats by Keah Brown and Sharee Miller: When Sam, a girl with cerebral palsy, goes back-to-school shopping with her friends, they all realize the importance of accessible public seating.
• Ed Roberts: Champion of Disability Rights by Diana Pastora Carson and Patrick William Connally: This book tells the little-known story of a disability advocate who fought for independent living supports.

Middle and high school age

• Accidents of Nature by Harriet McBryde Johnson: This book tells the story of a 17-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair. She's never met another person like her until she attends "Crip Camp" and finds friendship in the disability community.
• Disability Visibility (Adapted for Young Adults): First-Person Stories for Today by Alice Wong (editor): This collection of essays, all written by individuals with disabilities, shares a variety of perspectives on ableism, challenges and joy in the disability community, and more.
• Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper: This book inspired the 2024 Disney film about a nonspeaking girl with cerebral palsy determined not to let people around her underestimate how smart she is.
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan: This adventure series is beloved for showing teens that disabilities can also be sources of strength.
• The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley: This book tells the story of a girl with limb differences in 1940s England, who is sent away from home to stay safe during World War II and learns that she is capable of much more than she realized.

Helping our children understand that they are not alone and connecting them with a community of people like them can lead to self-empowerment, advocacy, activism, and pride. When we interviewed disability activist Judy Heumann, she emphasized just how important this connection and empowerment is. We can start by introducing our kids to celebrities and historical figures who share their disability: read and watch videos about them and discuss what made or makes them successful. We can look for disability support programs such as youth leadership groups, clubs, adaptive sports programs, or other students who can act as guides. We can actively involve our children in decisions: kids with disabilities need choice and autonomy in their daily lives, and learning to assert themselves in a variety of settings — from the local park to IEP meetings — can promote a strong sense of advocacy.

• Rolling Warrior by Judy Heumann: This is "the incredible, sometimes awkward, true story of a rebel girl on wheels who helped spark a revolution" — the teen/young reader edition of her memoir, Being Heumann.

• Fighting for Yes! by Maryann Cocca-Leffler & Vivien Mildenberger, with an afterword by Judy Heumann: This picture book for kids is a biography celebrating the life and work of Judy Heumann, highlighting one of her landmark achievements, the 504 Sit-in in 1977.

• Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor: This beautiful picture book for kids by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is about helping children embrace and be proud of their uniqueness. The book features characters with a variety of disabilities. Ages 4–8.

• Coaster by Dr. Paula Kluth: Written by an expert on disability and inclusion, this is the story of an animal shelter dog who uses a wheelchair. People are impressed by the cool tricks he can do with his wheels, but he is never adopted. One day, a child arrives who adopts him not for his ability to do tricks but for who he is. This book is a great discussion starter about disability and the idea that accolades mean nothing without acceptance. You can also watch a video of Paula reading her book, which won a Parent’s Choice Award. Ages 3–8.

• The Little Book of Little Activists by Penguin Young Readers: This collection of inspirational quotes and photographs teaches kids the power of advocacy and their First Amendment rights. Topics including diversity, equality, and feminism are discussed in a manner appropriate for children. Ages 5–9.

• If You’re So Smart, How Come You Can’t Spell Mississippi by Barbara Esham: Part of a series of books called Everyday Geniuses that discusses issues of disabilities in terms of strengths and weaknesses that a child can understand, this particular book addresses dyslexia and helps kids feel good about their differences. Other books in the series address ADHD, multiple intelligences, dysgraphia, and other learning differences. Ages 4–8.

Also check out our recommendations for Parent Resources on Disability Awareness and Acceptance and these resources for books:

• #SensoryStories: 10+ Kids Books About Sensory Differences
• 100-ish Inclusive Children's Books

Representation is so important. While it’s estimated that 27% of adults live with a disability, people with disabilities make up only 3.1% of broadcast scripted primetime television characters. Clearly, we have a long way to go. In the meantime, here are some videos and television shows for kids that are broadening perspectives and opening doors for new dialogue.

• Sesame Street, PBS/HBO: Elmo’s friend Julia has autism and is an important new addition to the show. Julia helps kids understand that verbal communication can be challenging for kids with autism, and that everyone communicates differently. The show has also highlighted stimming and how to respect the boundaries of someone who prefers minimal physical touch. Ages 3+.

• Avatar: The Last Airbender, Netflix: In this classic animated show, one of its main characters, Toph, is a 13-year-old girl who is blind. She is considered one of the most powerful characters in the series. Ages 8+.

• Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, PBS: One of Daniel Tiger’s newest friends is Chrissie, who uses crutches and braces to help her walk. Chrissie learns how to overcome her shyness to make new friends, appreciating their similarities and differences. Ages 3+.

• She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Netflix: The character of Entrapta was confirmed by the show’s creator to have autism and is written and drawn by an artist on the spectrum. Ages 8+.

• Loop, Disney+: Pixar’s award-winning short, "Loop," explores the inner world of Renee, a non-speaking teenage girl with autism (voiced by a young woman with autism). It looks at how we communicate and connect through sensory perception. It confronts everything from ableism to the need for human connection.