July is Disability Pride Month! During the month of July, we want to honor the history and experiences of the disability community through children’s literature. Children with disabilities represent over 4% of the eighteen and under population and up to 27% of adults in the US have a disability. People with disabilities are the single largest minority group in the country. Yet, historically they are massively underrepresented.
By educating ourselves about different disabilities, we can create a more welcoming and safe environment for everyone where no one feels alone.
Access Books Bay Area is committed to providing young readers with books that feature diverse voices, helping all children feel included and represented. Below are five books for children of different ages that feature characters with disabilities and their stories!
by Tiffany Hammond
Ages 4 - 8
All families have their way of communicating! A Day with No Words shows readers what life can look like for a family who communicates the same way their son with autism does; with non-verbal communication.
by Tracey Turner
Ages 7 - 11
We Are All Different is a colorful display of diversity that highlights all humans' unique and amazing differences! Featuring disabled and abled characters of different races and gender identities, every kid who picks up this book is sure to feel welcome!
by Lexi and Susan Haas
Ages 8 - 12
Are you looking for a funny yet inspiring memoir? Look no further than The Year of the Buttered Cat! Follow the life of Lexi, a girl with Cerebral Palsy. While this memoir sheds light on the world of someone living with a severe physical disability, it is also a story of friendship, family, and self-discovery.
by Ann Clare LeZotte
Ages 8 - 12
Mary is a deaf girl living on a small island surrounded by mostly deaf inhabitants. As aspects of her life change, the world she knows shifts dramatically, having lasting impacts on herself, her family, and her community. This coming-of-age novel skillfully blends deafness and Wampanoag history, creating an unforgettable story.
by Natalia Sylvester
Ages 13 +
Verónica has hip dysplasia but like any other teenager, she has a dream: to become a mermaid! This summer, follow Verónica as she auditions to become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park, navigates having her first boyfriend, learns to love her body, and so much more!
These unforgettable and lovable books about children with various disabilities can be found at Linden Tree Bookstore, a Bay Area family-run children’s bookstore with a highly curated selection of books reflecting a diverse range of voices.