· By Kaitlin Johnstone
Our Favorite Books for Disability Pride
July is Disability Pride Month. It was started to celebrate disabilities as an identity and to bring awareness to why we need to continue to work toward making our world more inclusive and accessible for all people.
Below we are highlighting some of our favorite children’s books that do a beautiful job of celebrating the joy and pride of the disabled community, which makes up over 15% of our population.
Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emannuel Ofosu Yeboah is a REMARKABLE story of Emmanuel, a young boy who set out on a mission to prove he could achieve his dreams. Most people dismissed his dream of cycling, but not his mother. He taught him to be proud of who he was. He went on to ride over 400 miles across Ghana and continues to be an advocate for disabled people.
You are Enough is the story of Sofia, an 11-year-old actress and model with Downs Syndrome. Sofia is confident and proud of who she is. Her story paints the picture that you are enough just the way you are and that all differences deserve to be celebrated.
Just Ask is a powerful story that encourages others to simply ask about people who are different for them. When we ask questions out of love, we can all grow to recognize and appreciate the differences we all have that make us unique.
The Girl who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin is a celebratory book about Dr. Grandin’s accomplishments to the world of science. As a child when Temple was diagnosed with autism, doctors were unsure if she would speak, let alone become a world-famous scientist. This book is another beautiful story of perseverance and understanding.
The illustrations in the book We Move Together vibrantly paint a picture of what it looks like to work together as a community. This is the perfect book to focus on breaking disability and social justice barriers with children.
All the Way to the Top is the courageous story of Jennifer Keelan, a little girl who crawled her way to the Capitol building in Washington, DC to ensure that the then The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed. Even as a child, she pushed for great change that would ensure that public spaces would become more accessible to people with disabilities.
Recess Magic is a beautiful story that discusses the importance of love and kindness regardless of how we look or move. We are very excited to showcase the phenomenal author, Bonny Spence Dieterich in an upcoming Take a Look Behind the Book!
Erin, Roderick, and The Diffability Bunch “Each child - and adult for that matter- has a plethora of talents and Abilities and some also have Disabilities. So, I have come up with 'Diffabilities' so that children can see that difference is something to be celebrated and not feared.” This quote from the author, Fliss Goldsmith perfectly depicts her amazing book.
Nia Skye’s Friend on Wheels by Keylonda Wheeler is a story about Nia Skye and Ariyah showing each other kindness and respect. Even though they move about the world in different ways, one thing they have in common is the superpower of purpose! This beautiful story of friendship helps children and grownups alike begin talks of disabilities, mobility devices, and allyship.
When Charley Met Emma by Amy Webb is a powerful picture book about Emma; a girl with limb differences. When Charlie firsts meets Emma he is unsure of how to react, but they begin to grow a deep friendship and understanding of one another.