Happy summer, friends! Summer is a great time to be outside exploring your world and having fun! This may look different for each child, depending on their abilities. These books feature unique children with all different abilities. All books are available to check out from the Free Library of Philadelphia!
Board Books
“All of Us: A First Conversation About Disability”
by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli and Jonathan Eden
This informational board book is an excellent introduction to disabilities for toddlers. With easy-to-read text and colorful but simple illustrations, the reader learns about different disabilities and what accessibility looks like. It’s a fantastic book for your littlest ones.
Picture Books
“Every Body Move!”
by Jenna Elyse Johnson and Ananya Rao-Middleton
Everybody can move, they just may move differently or need some tools to help them! In this easy and rhythmic picture book, we see lots of children with different abilities moving their bodies. A great introduction to mobility tools ends the book, and it’s a fun way to show how the body moves!
“You’re SO Amazing!”
by James and Lucy Catchpole and Karen George
When you’re different, being the center of attention isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. This gentle picture book about a child missing a leg is inspired by James’ own childhood and explores how children don’t always want to be praised just for being a kid. This is a great look at seeing children, and people in general, as themselves and not their disabilities.
Easy Readers and Chapter Books
“Henry, Like Always”
by Jenn Bailey and Mika Song
Henry really enjoys school and likes the routine of it. However, when the class is told they are having a parade, this switches up Henry’s schedule, and that he does not like. This early chapter book featuring a child on the autism spectrum has easy-to-read text and soft illustrations. It’s a great read for a child just learning to read independently.
Middle Grade Books
“Talking Books: Audiobook Inventor Dr. Robert B. Irwin and a New Way To Read”
by Jenny Lacika and Ashanti Fortson
This nonfiction picture book tells of a young Robert who lost his sight at age 5 and was determined to read books just like his peers. The story follows a young Robert who, after losing his sight, finds other ways to learn about the world around him. When he gets older, Robert learns to read in braille, but what he really wants is to listen to stories. Follow along on his journey to inventing audiobooks, which are real books and count as reading!
“Jessi’s Secret Language”
by Chan Chau and Ann M. Martin
Jessi, the newest junior member of the babysitter’s club, has a new charge, Matt Braddock. Matt, who is deaf, communicates using sign language. As Jessi learns, the other babysitters become interested in learning as well. This graphic novel adaptation is well done and full of colorful illustrations, which do a good job of showing sign language.
