Hoboken Public Library Blog

July is Disability Pride Month! Here is a round up of our favorite picture books that feature characters with disabilities, providing the perfect opportunity to see one’s self reflected or to learn about other people’s experiences. All featured titles are available in our BCCLS collection. Looking for middle grade and young adult books? Stay tuned for part 2 coming soon!

Don’t Call Me Special: A First Look at Disability by Pat Thomas (physical book, Hoopla eBook)
Various Disabilities
A picturebook that helps young readers understand physical and learning disabilities in a respectful and empathetic way

Come Over to My House by Eliza Hull (physical book)
Various disabilities
There’s so much to do at our friends’ houses. Along the way, we learn the different ways people communicate and have fun.

Signs of Friendship by Annie Silvestro (physical book)
Deafness and ASL  (although not always considered a disability)
Sally and Sonia are two friends who communicate through sign language. Can their friendship withstand a newcomer?

We Move Together by Anne McGuire and Kelly Fritsch (physical book)
Various disabilities 
An exploration of how people navigate their world and relationships. Helps young readers understand disability, accessibility, social justice and community 

Too Much! An Overwhelming Day by Jolene Gutiérrez and Angel Chang (physical book, Hoopla eBook)
Sensory processing disorder
A child shares what helps them when they are feeling overstimulated.

Flap Your Hands: A Celebration of Stimming by Steve Asbell (physical book)
Autism and stimming
Examples of stims to try when the world is overwhelming

More than Words: So Many Ways to Say What We Mean by Roz MacLean (physical book)
Communication disabilities, different communication styles
Nathan doesn’t say much. But that doesn’t mean he has nothing to say. In this beautifully illustrated book, we learn the many ways people can convey what’s on their mind and how we can be good listeners.

I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott (physical book, Libby e-audiobook, physical audiobook, DVD)
Speech impediments
A boy struggles to accept his stuttering until his father provides him a new perspective.

Maybe Just Ask Me! by Katie Mazeika (physical book)
Physical disability 
Mazie wears an eye patch and a headscarf. Her classmates come up with fantastical stories as to why (did a dragon burn her hair off? Is she secretly a pirate?), leading her to wish they’d just ask her.

Sam’s Super Seats by Keah Brown (physical book)
Cerebral palsy and mobility issues
Sam is excited to go back-to-school shopping with her mom and best friends. She has to take some breaks when she gets tired, but that doesn’t stop the fun. 

How I Learn: A Kid’s Guide to Learning Disability by Brenda Miles Ph.D and Colleen Patterson, MA (physical book)
Learning disabilities
Created by psychologists, this guide teaches young people what the definition of a learning disability is, that they are capable no matter what, and strategies to help with their learning.

A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbott (physical book, eBook)
Dyslexia 
A skilled artist struggles to keep up with their classmates’ reading pace. After conquering their fear of words, they learn to appreciate reading and learn about famous people who struggled with reading. In time, they learn how to pair their drawings with words to bring stories to life.

Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco (physical book, Libby e-audiobook, disponible en español)  
Dyslexia
Trisha can’t understand why she’s having so much trouble at school. It’s not until her teacher, Mr. Falkner, steps in to encourage her that she understands and works with her disability. 

Written by:
Allison Woodley
Information and Digital Services Library Assistant

Tags: Angel Chang, Anne McGuire, Annie Silestro, Brenda Miles, Colleen Patterson, disability pride month, Eliza Hull, Hudson Talbott, Jolene Gutierrez, Jordan Scott, Katie Mazeika, Keah Brown, Kelly Fritsch, Pat Thomas, Patricia Placco, picture books, Roz MacLean, Steve Asbell