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Bouwkamp, J. (2006). Hi! I’m Ben!… and I’ve got a
secret. 2nd. edition. Rochester Hills, MI: Band of
Angels Press.
3-year-old Ben introduces himself and asks readers to guess
his secret. His clues tell about his family, all the things he enjoys doing,
things he is afraid of, all very typical of any child his age. The secret he
reveals is his Down syndrome, which is explained in positive and age-appropriate
language.
Bunnett, R. (1992). Friends in the park. Yardley,
PA: Checkerboard Press.
A photo essay, this book depicts friends of mixed abilities playing
together and doing the activities that all children enjoy such as
playing ball, swinging, and riding toy vehicles.
Bunnett, R. (1996.) Friends at school. Long
Island City, NY: Star Bright Books.
This photo essay depicts young children of mixed abilities
in an inclusive school setting sharing a busy school day. A Spanish edition is
also available.
Brown, Tricia. (1995.) Someone special, just like
you. New York: Henry Holt & Company.
Pre-school aged children with disabilities are depicted in
this photo essay having fun doing all the things that any children enjoy:
blowing bubbles, singing, dancing, resting, and eating. They show that, despite
some differences they might have, they explore life’s experiences the way any
children do: with enthusiasm and delight.
Carter, A. (1997). Big brother Dustin. Morton
Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Company.
Dustin, a preschool aged child who has Down syndrome, and
his family eagerly await and prepare for their new baby.
Carter, A. (1999). Dustin’s big school day. Morton
Grove, IL: Albert Whitman &
Company.
This story follows Dustin, a second grader who has Down
syndrome, through his school day. He is attends typical school and learns in a
typical classroom, with visits to a speech therapist and an occupational
therapist. Dustin is an engaging young man who is more similar to
his friends than he is different.
Carter, A. (1998). Seeing things my way. Morton
Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Company.
Amanda is a second grader who has a vision impairment. She
introduces us to her family, her school, her doctors, and the variety of
assistive technology available to vision impaired students. Amanda is a busy and
happy girl with many interests, and the photographic illustrations show how
similar she is to her peers than different.
Cave, K. (2004). That's what friends do. New
York: Hyperion Books for Children.
This loving illustration of friends who are very different in appearance
will inspire children and the adults who care for and teach them.
Cheltenham Elementary School Kindergartners. (1991.) We
are all alike… we are all
different.
New York:
Scholastic Inc.
This compilation of kindergarteners’ drawings and words
rounded out by Laura Dwight’s photography demonstrates that all children share
differences and similarities in their families, houses, bodies, feelings and
activities.
Clements, A. (2002). Big Al and Shrimpy. New
York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young
Readers.
A big, strong fish named Big Al who becomes injured during
one of their adventures together befriends a very small, smart and lonely fish
named Shrimpy. It is Shrimpy’s big ideas and perseverance that builds the team
that saves Big Al.
De Bear, Kirsten. (2001). Be quiet, Marina!
Long Island City, NY: Star Bright Books.
This photographic story illustrates how two three-year-old girls (one
who has cerebral palsy and one who has Down syndrome) learn
to appreciate each other's differences in communication style in order
to become friends and playmates.
Dwight, L. (2005). Brothers and sisters. Long
Island City, NY: Star Bright Books.
Dwight, L. (1992). We can do it! New York:
Checkerboard Press.
This book focuses on the abilities of five children
with different disabilities: blindness, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and spina
bifida. They are shown in inclusive settings enjoying the typical activities
young children at home and at school.
Girnis, M. (2001). 1, 2, 3 for you and me. Morton
Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Company.
This counting book is illustrated with fun photographs of children who have Down
syndrome and their typical peers and siblings.
Girnis, M. (2000). A, B, C for you and me. Morton
Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Company.
This alphabet book is illustrated with fun photographs of children who have
Down syndrome and their typical peers and siblings.
Kent, D. (2003). Athletes with disabilities. New
York: Franklin Watts.
This chapter book is meant for an older elementary
audience, but is worth mentioning here because its photographic illustrations
are inspiring and it contains information about athletes with a variety of
disabilities who compete in the Special Olympics, the Paralympics and other
competitive arenas.
Kraus, R. (1971). Leo the late bloomer. New York:
Windmill Books.
This classic tale tells the story of Leo, a tiger who
learns things like talking, reading, writing, drawing and eating neatly much
more slowly than his father expects him to. His mother believes that he is a
“late bloomer,” and she is right: “One day, in his own good time, Leo
bloomed.”
Lester, H. (1999). Hooway for wodney wat. New
York: Water Lorraine Books.
When a shy classmate who has trouble pronouncing his
“R’s” has an opportunity to just be himself and unwittingly save his class
from a bully, he becomes a hero.
Levete, S. (1998). How do I feel about making
friends. Brookfield, CT: Copper Beech Books.
This book emphasizes the importance of friendship by
illustrating and describing scenarios about making friends and keeping peers
feeling welcome and included, all in age-appropriate language. The photographic
and drawn illustrations are ethnically diverse and inclusive of all abilities.
Lionni, L. (1963). Swimmy. New York: Pantheon.
In this classic, Swimmy is a lone black fish in a school of
red fish that learns to be himself, share and get along with others, and use
teamwork to conquer a big task.
Mayer, G. & Mayer, M. (1992.) A very special
critter. New York: A Golden Book.
When a new student who uses a wheelchair joins the
critters’ class, the critters are nervous and curious. But when Alex arrives
and they get to know him and learn about the assistance his wheel chair offers
him, they realize that he is more similar than different.
McMahon, P. (2000). Dancing wheels. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
McMahon, P. (1995). Listen for the bus: David’s
story. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press.
This story follows David through his first days of
kindergarten in a typical school and classroom. He rides the bus, finds his
cubby, enjoys circle time and story time. Since he is blind and hearing
impaired, David experiences all of these new adventures through feeling the
textures of objects and using sign language, and receives some help from his
teachers and school friends.
Millman, I. (1998). Moses goes to a concert. New
York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux: Frances Foster Books.
Moses, a young deaf student, goes to an orchestra concert
on a field trip with his classmates and meets a deaf percussionist. Moses and
his friends learn to feel the vibrations of the music, and are able to sample
the different percussion instruments after the concert. This book includes
pictures of Moses and his teacher and friends using American Sign Language, and
the ASL hand alphabet is illustrated.
Millman, I. (2000). Moses goes to school. New
York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux: Frances Foster Books.
This book shows Moses and his ethnically diverse deaf
classmates learning in their school, on their playground, and on their school
bus. American Sign Language is illustrated throughout.
Moncure, J. B. (1996). The child’s world of
kindness. Chanhassen, MN:
Child’s World.
In simple language and appealing illustrations, this book
introduces what it means to be kind, being gentle with animals, taking turns,
and helping others.
Oliver, C. (1999). Animals helping with special
needs. New York: Franklin Watts.
This informative book is meant for an older elementary
audience, but would benefit a younger group with assistance. Seeing eye dogs,
hearing dogs, and other assistance pets (including monkeys!) are introduced,
shown in photographic illustrations with the people whom they assist.
Interesting and inspiring anecdotes are shared in sidebars.
Osofsky, A. (1994). My Buddy. New York: Henry
Holt & Company.
Buddy is a golden retriever who helps a boy who has muscular dystrophy reach
his goals of independence. Together, the boy and his buddy make a great team and
show that children who have physical disabilities are able to participate in
typical activities if they have some help.
Parr, T. (2001). It's okay to be different. Boston: Megan Tingley Books.
Todd Parr's books celebrate differences among people. Illustrations are bold
and primitive, so these work well with younger children even if the topics are
abstract.
Parr, T. (1999). The okay book. Boston: Megan
Tingley Books.
Pitzer, R. (2004). I
can, can you? Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
In board book format and illustrated with photographs, this book shows
babies and toddlers who have Down syndrome having fun doing the things that all
babies and toddlers do.
Rickert, J.E. (2001). Russ and the almost perfect
day. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
This story follows Russ, an elementary school student who
happens to have Down syndrome, through a day that is typical, but better. He
finds a five-dollar bill on the way to school and decides that even though he
has fun ideas about how to spend the money, his sad classmate who lost her lunch
money deserves it more.
Rickert, J.E. (1999). Russ and the apple tree
surprise. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
In the second story in the Russ series, Russ, a pre-schooler
who has Down syndrome, learns that the apple trees in his back yard are more fun
than a jungle gym. He picks apples with his father, helps make an apple pie with
his mother and grandmother, and is excited when his grandfather surprises him
with a tree swing.
Rickert, J.E. (2000). Russ and the firehouse. Bethesda,
MD: Woodbine House.
In this first story in the Russ series, Russ, a
pre-school aged boy who has Down syndrome, enjoys an exciting day visiting his
uncle at his firehouse where he learns how to help out with the firefighters’
chores.
Rogers, F. (2001). Let’s talk about it: extraordinary
friends. New York: Puffin Books.
Part of the “Let’s Talk About It” series, this book
opens discussion about people with disabilities and deals openly with the
feelings a child might have upon meeting someone with a disability for the first
time, such as curiosity, fear or surprise. With a common sense approach, Rogers
assures young children that these feelings are okay, and that once they learn
that everyone has differences AND similarities, it will be easier to get to know
those they might find intimidating, and make friends.
Ross, D. (1999). A book of friends. New York:
Harper Collins Publishers.
An age-appropriate discussion of the different kinds of
friendships one can have. Diversity is illustrated with animals; one drawback is
the use of non-standard fonts and cursive, which make this a book to read aloud
to a young audience.
Senisi, E. (1998). All kinds of friends, even
green. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
Moses and his pet iguana, Zaki, have disabilities that
require them to figure out ways to get around easily: Moses uses a wheelchair
and Zaki is missing some toes. This story looks at disability and associated
challenges as interesting and positive differences.
Slate, J. (1998). Miss Bindergarten celebrates the
100th day of kindergarten. New York: Dutton Children's Books.
The Miss Bindergarten series follows a kindergarten class of
recurring characters through their adventures. Lenny the Lion uses a wheelchair
and he is included naturally in all activities, supported by his friends and
teacher, who never mention or direct attention to his disability.
Slate, J. (1996). Miss Bindergarten gets ready for
kindergarten. New York: Dutton Children's Books.
Slate, J. (2002). Miss Bindergarten plans a circus
with kindergarten. New York: Dutton Children's Books.
Slate, J. (2000). Miss Bindergarten stays home from
kindergarten. New York: Dutton Children's Books.
Slate, J. (2001). Miss Bindergarten takes a field
trip with kindergarten. New York: Dutton Children's Books.
Stuve-Bodeen, S. (2005). The best worst brother. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
A sequel to the story entitled, We'll paint the octopus red,
listed below.
Stuve-Bodeen, S. (1998). We’ll paint the octopus
red. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
Six-year-old Emma learns that she will soon be a big sister
and thinks of all the fun things she will be able to do with her new sibling.
When her brother, Isaac, is born with Down syndrome, she is reassured that she
will still be able to do all the things she planned, and with patience, she will
help him learn to do everything she knows how to do.
Thomas, P. (2005). Don't call me special: a first look at disability.
Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series.
Thompson, M. (1996). Andy and his yellow frisbee. Bethesda,
MD: Woodbine House.
Sarah attends a new school and notices that a boy named
Andy spends all of recess time spinning a yellow Frisbee. She asks him to teach
her how to spin her pink Frisbee, but he doesn’t seem to notice her. Rosie,
Andy’s sister, is concerned that Sarah might not understand Andy’s autism,
but the two girls become friends.
Willis, Jeanne. (2000). Susan laughs. New York:
Henry Holt & Company.
This rhyming story depicts Susan, who is an energetic and
happy girl who is busy with typical every day fun activities of childhood. Only
the last illustration shows Susan’s wheelchair, which serves to illustrate how
many more similarities children share than differences.
Woloson, E. (2003). My friend
Isabelle. Bethesda,
MD: Woodbine House.
Pre-school aged friends Charlie and Isabelle are the same
age and similar in many ways. They both like to dance, go down the big slide,
share snacks and hold hands. Isabelle
has Down syndrome and her friend Charlie notices that she is smaller, runs
slower, and sometimes speaks differently. When Charlie’s mother “says that
differences are what make the world so great,” Charlie agrees that “life is
more fun with friends like Isabelle.”
Also: Available as a free download from Woodbine
House
Thrasher, A. (2004). A teacher's guide to My Friend Isabelle:
classroom activities that foster acceptance of differences. Bethesda,
MD: Woodbine House.
Zeigler, S. (1996). The child’s world of
understanding. Chanhassen, MN: Child’s World.
The concept of understanding is defined and illustrated
through this simple age-appropriate picture book.
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updated: 08/27/2008
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