The Free Library of Philadelphia

Books about Disabilities

Prepared by MônicaCarnesi

January 2012

Adler, David A.

A picture book of Helen Keller by David A. Adler; illustrated by John & Alexandra Wallner.

Holiday House, c1990.

Notes: A brief biography of the woman who overcame her handicaps of being both blind and deaf.

Call Number: J362.4109 K282AD

ISBN: 0823408183

Disability: Deafness and Blindness

Adler, David A.

A picture book of Louis Braille by David A. Adler; illustrated by John & Alexandra Wallner.

Holiday House, c1997.

Notes: Presents the life of the nineteenth-century Frenchman, accidentally blinded as a child, who originated the raised dot system of reading and writing used throughout the world by the blind.

Call Number: J686.282 B731A

ISBN: 0823412911

Disability: Blindness

Akbarpour, Ahmad.

Good night, Commander byAhmad Akbarpour; pictures by MortezaZahedi; translated by ShadiEskandani and Helen Mixter.

Groundwood Books, 2010.

Notes: A child who has survived the Iraq-Iran War finds himself playing an imaginary war in his room, but when he confronts an enemy soldier, he finds that, like himself, this soldier is missing a leg.

Call Number: J (4 copies)

ISBN: 9780888999894

Disability: Physical Challenges

Altman, Alexandra.

Waiting for Benjamin: a story about autism by Alexandra Jessup Altman; illustrated by Susan Keeter.

Albert Whitman & Co., 2008.

Notes: Alexander experiences feelings of disappointment, anger, embarrassment, and jealousy when his younger brother is diagnosed with autism.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 9780807573648

Disability: Autism

Amenta, Charles A.

Russell's world: a story for kids about autism by Charles A. Amenta III; illustrated by Monika Pollak.

Magination Press, c2011.

Notes: Russell is a boy with severe autism, and this is his story. First published in 1992 as Russell Is Extra Special, now extensively updated. In Russell's World, readers see the surprises, challenges and problems that Russell and his family experience as well as the happiness and rewards they recognize.

Call Number: JE 618.9285 AM34A

ISBN: 9781433809750

Disability: Autism

Anderson, Peggy Perry.

We go in a circle by Peggy Perry Anderson.

Houghton Mifflin Co., 2004.

Notes: An injured race horse is rehabilitated to carry riders in hippo therapy--horseback riding used as physical therapy.

Call Number: JE (5 copies)

ISBN: 0618447563

Disability: Physical Challenges

Asare, Meshack.

Sosu's call by MeshackAsare.

Kane/Miller Book Publishers, 2002,c2001.

Notes: When a great storm threatens, Sosu, an African boy who is unable to walk, joins his dog Fusa in helping save their village.

Call Number: JE (5 copies)

ISBN: 1929132212

Disability: Physical Challenges

Barasch, Lynne.

Knockin' on wood: starring Peg Leg Bates by Lynne Barasch.

Lee & Low Books, c2004.

Notes: Presents a picture book biography of Clayton "Peg Leg" Bates, an African American who lost his leg in a factory accident at the age of twelve and went on to become a world-famous tap dancer.

Call Number: J792.78 B319B (7 copies)

ISBN: 1584301708

Disability: Physical Challenges

Bertrand, Diane Gonzales.

My pal, Victor by Diane Gonzales; illustrated by Robert L. Sweetland; translated by Eida de la Vega = Mi amigo, Victor por Diane Gonzales Bertrand; ilustradopor Robert L. Sweetland.

Raven Tree Press, c2004.

Notes: Two latino boys experience carefree camaraderie despite one boy's disability. Fun and friendship overpower physical limitations.(wheelchair)

Call Number: JE 863 B462M

ISBN: 0972019294

Disability: Physical Challenges

Bunnett, Rochelle.

Friends at school by Rochelle Bunnett ; photographs by Matt Brown.

Star Bright Books, 1995.

Notes: This book conveys the importance and warmth of children with many differences sharing, supporting, loving, and learning from one another.

Call Number: JE 371.9 B885F

ISBN: 9781595720405

Disability: Special Needs (General)

Caseley, Judith.

Harry and Willy and Carrothead by Judith Caseley.

Greenwillow Books, c1991.

Notes: Three boys overcome prejudicial ideas about appearances and become friends.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 0688094929

Disability: Physical Challenges

Cohen, Miriam.

See you tomorrow, Charles by Miriam Cohen; pictures by Lillian Hoban.

Greenwillow Books, c1983.

Notes: The first graders learn to accept the new boy, who is blind, as just like themselves.

Call Number: JE (4 copies)

ISBN: 0688018041

Disability: Blindness

Davis, Patricia Anne.

Brian's bird by Patricia A. Davis; illustrated by Layne Johnson.

A. Whitman, 2000.

Notes: Eight-year-old Brian, who is blind, learns how to take care of his new parakeet and comes to realize that his older brother, while sometimes careless, is not so bad after all.

Call Number: J

ISBN: 0807508810

Disability: Blindness

Dungy, Tony.

You can be a friend! by Tony & Lauren Dungy; illustrated by Ron Mazellan.

Little Simon Inspirations, c2011.

Notes: Jade wants to be friends with the new girl, but Hannah's wheelchair seems to present an obstacle until Jade is reminded that everyone is special in God's eyes.

Call Number: J

ISBN: 9781416997719

Disability: Physical Challenges

Dwight, Laura.

We can do it! by Laura Dwight.

Star Bright Books, c1997.

Notes: Depicts children living with spina bifida, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or blindness with the help of family and friends.

Call Number: JE 305.9081 D965W

ISBN: 1887734341

Disability: Special Needs (General

Edwards, Becky.

My brother Sammy by Becky Edwards and David Armitage.

Millbrook Press, 1999.

Notes: A boy describes some of the many feelings he has about his brother Sammy, who is autistic.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 0761314172

Disability: Autism

Elliott, Rebecca.

Just because by Rebecca Elliott.

Lion, c2010.

Notes: "A younger brother describes all the fun he has with the big sister he loves so much just because. He is enthusiastic about just how loving and special she is, and delights in telling us about all the fun things they do together. Only as his tale unfolds does the reader begin to realize that his sister has special needs and by then the reader just accepts, as he does, all the wonderful things about her. Teachers and librarians will appreciate this book for its sincere and convincing treatment of children with special needs, while parents will use this book to encourage sibling friendship and to read with children who are beginning to ask why a particular child they know is "different"--Publishers description.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 9780745962672

Disability: Physical Challenges

Fleming, Virginia M.

Be good to Eddie Lee by Virginia Fleming; illustrated by Floyd Cooper.

Philomel Books, c1993.

Notes: Although Christy considered him a pest, when Eddie Lee, a boy with Down's Syndrome, follows her into the woods, he shares several special discoveries with her.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 0399219935

Disability: Down Syndrome

Fraustino, Lisa Rowe.

The hickory chair by Lisa Rowe Fraustino; illustrated by Benny Andrews.

Arthur Levine Books, 2001.

Notes: A blind boy tells of his warm relationship with his grandmother and the gift she left for him after her death.

Call Number: JE (3 copies)

ISBN: 0590522485

Disability: Blindness

Gifaldi, David.

Ben, king of the river by David Gifaldi; illustrated by Layne Johnson.

Albert Whitman & Company, 2001.

Notes: Chad experiences a range of emotions when he goes camping with his parents and his five-year-old mentally disabled brother Ben who has many developmental problems.

Call Number: J (3 copies)

ISBN: 0807506354

Disability: Mental Health

Goldin, Barbara Diamond.

Cakes and miracles : a Purim tale by Barbara Diamond Goldin; illustrated by Jaime Zollars.

Marshall Cavendish Children, c2010.

Notes: Young, blind Hershel finds that he has special gifts he can use to help his mother during the Jewish holiday of Purim.

Call Number: JE (5 copies)

ISBN: 9780761457015

Disability: Blindness

Klise, Kate.

Stand straight, Ella Kate: the true story of a real giant by Kate Klise; pictures by M. Sarah Klise.

Dial Books for Young Readers, c2010.

Notes: A fictionalized biography of Ella Kate Ewing, born in 1872, who was eight feet tall by the age of seventeen and who became financially independent by traveling the country for nearly twenty years appearing at museums, exhibitions, and in circus shows. (A story about embracing one’s differences)

Call Number: J (2 copies)

ISBN: 9780803734043

Disability: Physical Challenges

Kraus, Robert.

Leo the late bloomer by Robert Kraus; pictures by JoseAruego.

Windmill Books, [1971]

Notes: Leo, a young tiger, finally blooms under the anxious eyes of his parents.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 9780878070428

Disability: Learning Disabilities

Levi, Dorothy Hoffman.

A very special sister by Dorothy Hoffman Levi; illustrations by Ethel Gold.

Kendall Green Publications, Gallaudet University Press, c1992.

Notes: Laura, who is deaf, is excited about becoming a big sister, but she worries that a new baby who can hear might get more love from their mother than she does. Text and illustrations provide instructions for signing eight words.

Call Number: J

ISBN: 0930323963

Disability: Deafness

Lears, Laurie.

Ian's walk : a story about autism by Laurie Lears; illustrations by Karen Ritz.

Albert Whitman, 1998.

Notes: A young girl realizes how much she cares for her autistic brother Ian when he gets lost at the park.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 0807534803

Disability: Autism

Lears, Laurie.

Nathan's wish: a story about cerebral palsy by Laurie Lears; illustrated by Stacey Schuett.

Morton Grove, Ill.: Albert Whitman & Co., 2005.

Notes: A boy with cerebral palsy helps out at a raptor rehabilitation center and is inspired himself when an owl that cannot fly finds another purpose in life.

Call Number: J

ISBN: 0807571016

Disability: Cerebral palsy

Lester, Helen.

Hooway for WodneyWat by Helen Lester; illustrated by Lynn Munsinger.

Houghton Mifflin, 1999.

Notes: All his classmates make fun of Rodney because he can't pronounce his name, but it is Rodney's speech impediment that drives away the class bully.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 0395923921

Disability: Speech and Language Impairments

Martin, Bill.

Knots on a counting rope by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault; illustrated by Ted Rand.

H. Holt, c1987.

Notes: A grandfather and his blind grandson, Boy-Strength-of-Blue-Horses, reminisce about the young boy's birth, his first horse, and an exciting horse race.

Call Number: JE (3 copies)

ISBN: 0805005714

Disability: Blindness

Millman, Isaac.

Moses goes to a concert by Isaac Millman.

Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1998.

Notes: Moses and his schoolmates, all deaf, attend a concert where the orchestra's percussionist is also deaf. Includes illustrations in sign language and a page showing the manual alphabet

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 0374350671

Disability: Deafness

Millman, Isaac.

Moses goes to school by Isaac Millman.

Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2000.

Notes: Moses and his friends enjoy the first day of school at their special school for the deaf and hard of hearing, where they use sign language to talk to each other.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 0374350698

Disability: Deafness

Millman, Isaac.

Moses goes to the circus by Isaac Millman.

Frances Foster Books, 2003.

Notes: Moses, who is deaf, has a good time with his family at the circus, where they communicate using sign language. Includes illustrations of some of the signs they use.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 0374350647

Disability: Deafness

Munsch, Robert N.

Zoom! by Robert Munsch; illustrated by Michael Martchenko.

Scholastic Canada Ltd, c2003.

Notes: "When Lauretta tries out a 92-speed, silver and gold, dirt-bike wheelchair, she gets a speeding ticket but also helps out her brother.

BIB Call Number: J

ISBN: 0439187745

Disability: Physical Challenges

Nemiroff, Marc A.

Help is on the way: a child's book about ADD by Marc A. Nemiroff, Jane Annunziata; illustrated by Margaret Scott.

Magination Press, c1998.

Notes: Explains the effects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and how it can be handled.

Call Number: JE 618.9285 N344H

ISBN: 9781557985057

Disability: Attention Deficit Disorder

Parker, Robert Andrew.

Piano starts here: the young Art Tatum by Robert Andrew Parker.

Schwartz & Wade Books, c2008.

Notes: The story of the young Art Tatum, who became one of the all-time greats of jazz piano.

Call Number: JE 785.4209 T189P

ISBN: 9780375939655

Disability: Blindness

Peete, Holly Robinson.

My brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete with DeneneMillner; pictures by Shane Evans.

Scholastic Press, 2010.

Notes: A girl tells what it is like living with her twin brother who has autism and sometimes finds it hard to communicate with words, but who, in most ways, is just like any other boy. Includes authors' note about autism.

Call Number: J

ISBN: 9780545094665

Disability: Autism

Penn, Audrey.

A.D.D. not B.A.D. by Audrey Penn and illustrated by Monica DunskyWyrick.

Tanglewood Press, 2006.

Notes: Jimmy Jumpingbean and his teacher, Mr. Jugardor, demonstrate to the class why Jimmy's attention deficit disorder makes it hard for him to sit still.

Call Number: J (3 copies)

ISBN: 9780974930374

Disability: Attention Deficit Disorder

Petrillo, Genevieve.

Keep your ear on the ball by Genevieve Petrillo; illustrated by Lea Lyon.

Tilbury House, 2007.

Notes: Davey, a blind student, refuses all help from his new classmates, even while playing kickball at recess, until they find a way to help without doing everything for him.

Call Number: JE (9 copies)

ISBN: 9780884482963

Disability: Blindness

Polacco, Patricia

The junkyard wonders by Patricia Polacco.

Philomel Books, 2010.

Notes: Inspired by a teacher who believes each of them is a genius, a class of special-needs students invents something that could convince the whole school they are justifiably proud to be "Junkyard Wonders."

Call Number: J (7 copies)

ISBN: 9780399250781

Disabilility: Learning Disabilities

Polacco, Patricia

Thank you, Mr. Falkerby Patricia Polacco.

Philomel Books, c1998.

Notes: At first, Trisha loves school, but her difficulty learning to read makes her feel dumb, until, in the fifth grade, a new teacher helps her understand and overcome her problem.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 0399231668

Disabilility: Learning Disabilities

Robb, Diane Burton.

The Alphabet War: a story about dyslexia by Diane Burton Robb; illustrated by Gail Piazza.

Albert Whitman & Co., 2004.

Notes: Learning to read is a great struggle for Adam, but with expert help, hard work, and belief in himself, he wins "The Alphabet War." Includes information about dyslexia.

Call Number: J (5 copies)

ISBN: 0807503029

Disability: Learning Disabilities

Rodriguez, Bobbie.

Sarah's sleepover by Bobbie Rodriguez; illustrated by Mark Graham.

Viking, 2000.

Notes: When the lights go out while her cousins are spending the night, a young blind girl shows them what to do in the dark.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 0670877506

Disability: Blindness

Rogers, Fred.

Extraordinary friends by Fred Rogers; photographs by Jim Judkis.

G.P. Putnam, c2000.

Notes: Focuses on people who are different, who might use equipment such as wheelchairs or special computers, who are more like you than you might think, and suggests ways to interact with them.

Call Number: J362.4083 R631E

ISBN: 0399231463

Disability: Special Needs (General)

Seeger, Pete.

The deaf musicians by Pete Seeger and Paul DuBois Jacobs; illustrations by R. Gregory Christie.

G.P. Putnam's Sons, c2006.

Notes: Lee, a jazz pianist, has to leave his band when he begins losing his hearing, but he meets a deaf saxophone player in a sign language class and together they form a snazzy new band.

Call Number: JE (2 copies)

ISBN: 9780399243165

Disability: Deafness

Seuss, Dr.

Gerald McBoing Boing: based on the Academy Award-winning motion picture by Dr. Seuss; pictures adapted by Mel Crawford.

Random House, 2000, c1950.

Notes: Gerald, whose communication in the form of clangs, toots, and blasts, distresses his parents and the kids at school.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 0679891404

Disability: Speech and Language Impairments

Shirley, Debra.

Best friend on wheels by Debra Shirley; illustrated by Judy Stead.

Albert Whitman & Co., 2008.

Notes: A young girl relates all the ways she and her best friend, Sarah, are alike, in spite of the fact that Sarah uses a wheelchair.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 9780807588680

Disability: Physical Challenges

Stryer, Andrea Stenn.

Kami and the yaks by Andrea StennStryer; illustrated by Bert Dodson.

Bay Otter Press, c2007.

Notes: In the Himalaya Mountains of Nepal, a deaf Sherpa boy proves himself to his father by rescuing his family's yaks from a dangerous storm.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 9780977896103

Disability: Deafness

Stuve-Bodeen, Stephanie.

We'll paint the octopus red by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen; illustrations by Pam DeVito.

Woodbine House, 1998.

Notes: Emma and her father discuss what they will do when the new baby arrives, but they adjust their expectations when he is born with Down syndrome.

Call Number: JE

ISBN: 1890627062

Disability: Down Syndrome

Thompson, Mary.

Andy and his yellow frisbee / written and illustrated by Mary Thompson.

Woodbine House, 1996.

Notes: The new girl at school tries to befriend Andy, an autistic boy who spends every recess by himself, spinning a yellow frisbee under the watchful eye of his older sister.

Call Number: J

ISBN: 0933149832

Disability: Autism

Thompson, Mary.

My brother, Matthew by Mary Thompson.

Woodbine House, 1992.

Notes: Though David knows frustration and resentment at times, he feels he understands his disabled little brother even better than his parents; and together the two boys experience a great deal of joy.

Call Number: J

ISBN: 0933149476

Disability: Mental Health

Troupe, Quincy.

Little Stevie Wonder by Quincy Troupe; illustrated by Lisa Cohen.

Houghton Mifflin, 2005.

Notes: A poem tribute to blind musician and composer Stevie Wonder.

Call Number: j811 W845t

ISBN: 0618340602

Disability: Blindness

Uhlberg, Myron.

Dad, Jackie, and me by Myron Uhlberg; illustrated by Colin Bootman.

Peachtree Publishers, c2005.

Notes: In Brooklyn, New York, in 1947, a boy learns about discrimination and tolerance as he and his deaf father share their enthusiasm over baseball and the Dodgers' first baseman, Jackie Robinson.

Call Number: J

ISBN: 9781561453290

Disability: Deafness

Wahl, Jan.

Rosa's parrot by Jan Wahl ; illustrated Kim Howard.

Whispering Coyote Press, c1999.

Notes: Rosa is hard of hearing and she relies on her parrot, Pico, to repeat things loudly for her, but sometimes Pico takes advantage of Rosa to create mischief.