Twenty Books that Promote Disability Awareness for Children Pre-K through Sixth Grade

Twenty Books that Promote Disability Awareness for Children Pre-K through Sixth Grade is a descriptive listing of books that educate children with and without disabilities on disability awareness, people-first language, sign language, and braille. The juvenile fiction and nonfiction chosen for this guide provides positive representations of adults and children with disabilities. Characters with disabilities are portrayed as part of a diverse group of disabled and non-disabled peers who participate in daily activities and overcome barriers. The guide highlights pre-K through sixth grade literature available in digital audio, braille, and print/braille formats from The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.

As Brave as You
by Jason Reynolds
Download BR21728 3 volumes
Download DB84720 9 hours, 44 minutes, read by Don Feldheim

When eleven-year-old Genie and his older brother, Ernie, spend part of their summer vacation in the Virginia countryside with their grandparents, he learns a secret about his grandfather and what it means to be brave. Grades 5—8. 2016.

The Christmasaurus
by Tom Fletcher
Download DB92512 5 hours, 42 minutes, read by Paul Shelley

Young William has wished for a dinosaur every Christmas. When Santa accidentally gives William the real Christmasaurus instead of a stuffed replica, it's the best Christmas ever--until an evil man known as the Hunter decides a dinosaur would be the perfect addition to his collection. Commercial audiobook. For grades 3—6. 2016.

The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch
by Tom Fletcher
Download DB111743

"One year has passed since William Trundle's incredible adventure with the most extraordinary dinosaur: the Christmasaurus. Now, William is swept back to the magical North Pole, where he meets the mysterious, icy Winter Witch--whose power to control time allows Santa Claus to make the long journey all around the world every Christmas Eve. And when they learn that the fate of Christmas itself hangs in the balance, William and the Christmasaurus must work with the Winter Witch to protect it." -- Amazon. Commercial audiobook. For grades 3—6. 2019.

The Deaf Musicians
by Pete Seeger and Paul DuBois Jacobs
Download BR17245 1 volume PRINT/BRAILLE.
Download DB64140 10 minutes, read by Michael Russotto

Jazz pianist Lee is asked to leave his band when he loses his hearing. At sign language class, Lee meets Max who plays the sax. Riding the subway together, they form a new band with a big audience. For grades K-3 and older readers. Schneider Family Book Award. 2006.

The Disability Rights Movement
by Deborah Kent
Download BR12750 1 volume
Download DB49998 32 minutes, read by Rick Foucheux

A chronicle of milestones in the ongoing fight for disability rights in the United States; includes the 1940 establishment of the National Federation of the Blind and the passing of both the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For grades 4—7. 1996.

Do You Remember the Color Blue? And Other Questions Kids Ask About Blindness
by Sally Hobart Alexander
Download DB50319 1 hour, 50 minutes, read by Barbara Pinolini

A writer who went blind at age twenty-six answers questions that children have frequently asked during her visits to schools. She discusses reading, working with her guide dog, meeting her husband, and parenting her two children, as well as her reactions to being blind. For grades 4-7. 2000.

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah
by Laurie Ann Thompson and with illustrations by Sean Qualls
Download BR21066 1 volume PRINT/BRAILLE.

Born in Ghana with one deformed leg, Emmanuel was raised to reach for his dreams. He hopped to and from school more than two miles each way, provided for his family, and eventually became a cyclist and activist for people with disabilities. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K—3 and older readers. 2015.

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin
by Julia Finley Mosca and Daniel Rieley
Download BRC01841 1 volume
Download DBC06756 26 minutes, read by Joanna Whitney

Meet Dr. Temple Grandin--one of the world's quirkiest science heroes! When young Temple was diagnosed with autism, no one expected her to talk, let alone become one of the most powerful voices in modern science. Yet, the determined visual thinker did just that. Her unique mind allowed her to connect with animals in a special way, helping her invent groundbreaking improvements for farms around the globe! For grades K-3. 2017.

Greff, The Story of a Guide Dog
by Patricia Curtis
Download DB22731 33 minutes, read by Mimi Bederman
The life of a yellow Labrador retriever from the night of his birth through his training at the Guide Dog Foundation, where he is introduced to the young blind man whose guide dog he will be. For grades 5—8 and older readers. 1987.

I Talk Like a River
by Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith
Download BR23736 1 volume PRINT/BRAILLE
Download DB101830 20 minutes, read by Jordan Scott

When a child has a "bad speech day" at school, his father provides him with a new perspective on his stuttering. For grades K—3. 2020.

Just Ask: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
by Sonia Sotomayor and Rafael López
Download BR22864 1 volume PRINT/BRAILLE.DB97234 17 minutes, read by Colleen Delany
¡Solo pregunta! Sé Diferente, Sé Valiente, Sé Tú (Spanish version)
Download DB104863 17 minutes, read by Sonia Sotomayor with Almarie Guerra

Sonia and her friends plant a garden, and each one explains how they contribute in his or her own special way. For grades K—3. 2019.

Looking After Louis
by Lesley Ely
Download DB58701 7 minutes, read by Erin Jones

When Louis, a boy with autism, joins a new classroom, the children try to understand his world and to include him in theirs. For grades K—3. 2004.

Mom Can't See Me
by Sally Hobart Alexander
Download BR08905 2 volumes PRINT/BRAILLE.
Download DB41379 12 minutes, read by Madelyn Buzzard

Nine-year-old Leslie Alexander provides a candid, insightful, and upbeat account of life with her mother, who is blind. "Mom does some things differently, but mostly she's like other mothers." Leslie talks about the similarities—her mom cooks; enjoys dancing, reading, movies, and sports; and works as a writer—and differences: she uses a guide dog, does not drive, and depends a lot on sound. For grades K—3. 1990.

Moses Goes to a Concert
By Isaac Millman
Download BR12011 1 volume PRINT/BRAILLE.DB47373 32 minutes, read by Lindsay Ellison

Moses and his classmates, who are deaf, go to a concert with their teacher. Performing with the orchestra is a percussionist who is also deaf. For grades K—3. 2017.

My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay
By Cari Best and Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Download DBC06865 18 minutes, read by Rachel Glass

Zulay and her three best friends are all in the same first grade class and study the same things, even though Zulay is blind. When their teacher asks her students what activity they want to do on Field Day, Zulay surprises everyone when she says she wants to run a race. With the help of a special aide and the support of her friends, Zulay does just that. For grades K—3. 2015.

Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask about Having a Disability
by Shane Burcaw and Matt Carr
Download BRG04463 1 volume
Download DB90569 19 minutes, read by Joe Peck

Why do you look so different? That's a great question! My name is Shane, and I was born with a disease that makes my body grow smaller and weaker as I get older instead of bigger and stronger. Living with this disease means that I've used a wheelchair for most of my life and often rely on my family and friends to help me do all my favorite things--like eating pizza, participating in team sports, and playing video games. Since many people are curious about me, I decided to answer some of the questions I'm asked head-on in this book. Go ahead and take a look! Although I need a little more help than you might, you'll see that I'm not so different. Grades K—3. 2017.

Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship
by Jessica Kensky, Patrick Downes, and Scott Magoon
Download DB90933 15 minutes, read by Faith Potts

When he is paired with a girl who has lost her legs, Rescue worries that he isn't up to the task of being her service dog. Based on the true story of Rescue and Jessica Kensky, who was injured in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. For grades K—3. 2018.

Secrets Aren't (Always) For Keeps
by Barbara Aiello
Download BR07961 1 volume
Download DB30468 55 minutes, read by Barbara Rosenblat

Jennifer has been hiding her learning disability from her Australian pen pal, Kay. Now Kay is coming to visit for a week and wants to spend a day at school with Jennifer. Includes question and answer section on disability. For grades 3—6. 1988.

Thank You Mr. Falker
by Patricia Polacco
Download DB47130 17 minutes, read by Kristin Allison

Fictionalized account of the artist author's struggle to learn how to read as a child. Finally, a fifth-grade teacher, Mr. Falker, comes to her rescue and gives her special lessons. For grades 2—4. 1998.

We’re All Wonders
by R.J. Palacio
Download DB87566 4 minutes, read by Kivlighan de Montebello

Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face, feels like every other kid, but he isn't always seen that way. Even though some kids taunt him, Auggie plays with his beloved dog, Daisy, and hopes that one day kids will accept him. Commercial audiobook. For preschool—grade 2. 2017.

Created June 2023