In honour of Children’s Book Week 2024, we are excited to celebrate the theme “Reading is Magic” by highlighting the incredible power of disability representation and diversity in stories.
This week, we’re sharing ten children’s books that not only support understanding of disability and diversity but also celebrate the importance of seeing children with disability represented in the stories they read.
These stories are perfect for reading with your children and starting conversations about the diverse ways people navigate the world.
Come Over to My House
By Eliza Hull (Author), Sally Rippin (Author), and Daniel Grey-Barnett (Illustrator)
This Australian picture book explores the home lives of children with disability and their families. Taking inspiration from her life as a parent with a disability, Eliza uses this inclusive rhyming text to explore the characters’ various disabilities and how they’ve adapted their homes to be fun, welcoming, and accessible.
Included
By Jayneen Sanders (Author) and Camila Carrossine (Illustrator)
This story aims to help everyone understand that children with disability are just like children everywhere. They love playing games, books, making stuff, and being silly – and just like children everywhere, they want to feel safe, loved, and included.
Two Mates
By Melanie Prewett (Author) and Maggie Prewett (Illustrator)
The true story of a special mateship between two boys who have grown up together in Broome. Meet Jack who is Indigenous and Raf, a non-Indigenous boy who has Spina bifida.
The boys share their daily lives as they search for hermit crabs, go hunting, fish, explore the markets, and dress up as superheroes. The fact that Raf is in a wheelchair is only revealed at the end of the story.
Just Because
By Rebecca Elliott (Author and Illustrator)
Amusing and touching, this story encompasses acceptance, disability, and love in a celebration of sibling friendship. In this heartwarming picture book about being loved, no matter what, a younger brother describes all the fun he has with the big sister he loves so much—just because.
Extraordinary! A Book for Children with Rare Diseases
By Evren Ayik (Author), Kara Ayik (Author), Ian Dale (Illustrator)
This book gently introduces children to the concepts of identity and inclusion, particularly through the lens of living with a rare disease. Drawing from his own journey with a rare disease, Evren and his mother Kara wrote this book to encourage families to engage in meaningful conversations and discover how rare diseases can positively shape a person’s identity.
Max the Champion
By Alexandra Strick (Author), Sean Stockdale (Author), and Ros Asquith (Illustrator)
This story is a lively approach to sports and shows children with disability and children without disability enjoying different sports together. The sports include football, rugby, athletics, cricket, diving, discus throwing and cycling.
It’s Okay to Ask!
By Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare (Author), Nancy Carlson (Illustrator)
This book introduces five children who have disability or complex medical conditions. They love to read, play, tell jokes, and make friends. As you get to know the characters in the book and learn that it’s okay to ask questions, you will discover that everyone is more alike than you might think, and that people of all abilities can be friends.
All My Stripes
By Shaina Rudolph (Author), Danielle Royer (Author), Jennifer Zivoin (Illustrator)
This is the story of Zane, an autistic zebra who worries that his differences make him stand out from his peers. With careful guidance from his mother, Zane learns that autism is only one of many qualities that make him unique and wonderful.
Mighty Mila
By Katie Petruzziello (Author) and Nadja Sarell (Illustrator)
Follow the story of the unstoppable Mila, a young girl who also happens to be deaf. Inspired by her daughter, Katie tells the tale of Mila, a girl who, despite her youth, believes she is quite grown-up, at least that’s what she thinks. Join Mila on an adventure as she proves just how big and mighty she truly is!
Giraffes Can’t Dance
By Giles Andreae (Author) and Guy Parker-Rees (Illustrator)
This is a touching tale of Gerald the Giraffe, who wants nothing more than to dance. With crooked knees and thin legs, it’s harder for a giraffe than you would think. Read how Gerald is finally able to dance to his own tune when he gets some encouraging words from an unlikely friend.
Throughout this week, take some time to visit your local library with the whole family and discover these wonderful books.
If you’re at Perth Children’s Hospital, you can also borrow a book from the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Fun on Four. Located on level 4, this is a place for comfort and play for the whole family.
Do you have a favourite children’s book? We’d love to hear about it! Feel free to get in touch and share your favourites with us.
Let’s celebrate the magic of reading and the impact of inclusive storytelling together!
