From the bookshelf: Titles that teach children about inclusion, disabilities and friendship

Books can challenge perspectives. They introduce new ideas and clear up misconceptions. For adults and children alike, books open our worlds to new ways of thinking.

Parents and teaches know all too well that teaching children inclusion, tolerance, how to love themselves and be a good friend to others is an important job. The good news is that many authors do too.

Have you ever considered helping a child understand himself or see herself differently? Do the words come easily to you or are they difficult to find?

Books can be such a gift in helping us find the right words to explain difficult concepts. Below are a few we found that may help you tell the story your child needs to hear, for his benefit as well as others’.

Helping Sophia
Sophia is a third grader who uses a wheelchair, and on a day when her usual helper isn’t in school, Sophia’s classmates step up to the plate to support her. The story informs enlightens children about children with disabilities while teaching caring and kindness.

You, Me and Empathy
Quinn is here to model the meaning of empathy in this charming story about understanding, compassion and kindness towards others. The book includes discussion questions and activities to promote this learned behavior in young readers.

The Big Umbrella
The School Library Journal describes The Big Umbrella as  a “sweet extended metaphor uses an umbrella to demonstrate how kindness and inclusion work... A lovely addition to any library collection, for classroom use or for sharing at home.” The Big Umbrella is all about inclusivity and leaves opportunities for easy discussion when the story ends too.

How to Be a Friend: A Book about Friendship
Does your child know how to make friends? Teaching children the traits of being a good friend is the work of parents and teachers, but it’s not a skill readily taught in schools. The book’s author introduces children to the qualities that build good friendships, including loyalty, trust and honesty.

Just Because
In Just Because, Clemmie’s little brother expresses his love for his big sister, whom he adores though she can’t do many of the things most children can. He loves her no matter what and accepters her as he is. This charming read celebrates sibling friendship while lovingly unfolding Clemmie’s disabilities.

Roxy the Raccoon: A Story to Help Children Learn about Disability and Inclusion
Roxy has friends who love to do everything together, but sometimes that means making changes to plans and accommodating each other’s needs. This story from the forest teaches how to include friends with disabilities and why friends are happy to do so.

Just Because I Am: A Child's Book of Affirmation
No matter their abilities, all children deserve to value themselves and recognize their worth simply because they exist! This sweet book, full of affirmations, helps children understand their value, which doesn’t lie in what they do or what they look like. The read includes a discussion and activities section for parents, teachers and caregivers too.

Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Having a Disability
He’s often asked what it’s like living with a disability, so Shane Burcaw answers them with humor and refreshing honesty in this fun book. More than any explanation of his abilities, he’s most effective in explaining how, in more ways than not, he’s just like everyone else.

What's Different about You?
This book offers a comprehensive look explaining medical conditions, impairments and disabilities in a kid-friendly and developmentally appropriate manner. It helps children understand such differences for more successful interactions at school, in public or even at home. (What’s Different About You? is touted as helpful in explaining topics to siblings of a child with a disability).

All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism
This Gold Medal/Mom’s Choice award-winning book shares the story of Zane, a zebra with autism who’s worried his differences will negatively impact his relationships with other students. As the book unfolds, Zane and his readers learn that autism is only one of the many qualities that make him unique, special and worth befriending.

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​Congratulations on seeking new ways to teach your child how to interact with others in the most loving and kind ways! We invite you to research the above titles to determine reading level and whether the content meets your child’s specific needs. Together, we can help children understand how much they have in common and how their differences are worth treasuring too. 

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