Staff Picks
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month - Recommendations for Younger Readers
- Jenny D.
- Saturday, March 27, 2021
Collection
March has been recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month since 1987 when President Ronald Reagan issued a public proclamation urging Americans to provide individuals with developmental disabilities “The encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.” Developmental disabilities include disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism, muscular dystrophy, down syndrome, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and affect a person's growth and/or cognition. The aim of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is to raise awareness about the inclusion and barriers of people with developmental disabilities in all areas of community life.
Back to Front and Upside Down!
Published in 2012
While the rest of the class makes birthday cards for the principal, Stanley struggles with his words and letters.
My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay
Published in 2015
"Zulay is a blind girl who longs to be able to run in the race on field and track day at her school"-- Provided by publisher.
Going with the Flow
Published in 1998
When Mark changes schools in mid-year, he is angry, lonely, and embarrassed by his deafness, but he soon begins to adjust. Includes information about deafness.
We'll Paint the Octopus Red
Published in 1998
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.
Six Dots
A Story of Young Louis Braille
Published in 2016
Louis Braille was just five years old when he lost his sight. He was a clever boy, determined to live like everyone else, and what he wanted more than anything was to be able to read. Even at the school for the blind in Paris, there were no books for him. And so he invented his own alphabet--a whole new system for writing that could be read by touch. A system so ingenious that it is still used by the blind community today.
Spaghetti Is Not a Finger Food
Published in 2013
Being eight, Connor knew a lot. He knew that Mrs. Winters did not like to be interrupted, but he was sure she would appreciate his fact-finding methods—and who wouldn' t want to know more about geckos? He knew he needed the new library book, "More All About Dogs," more than Jane needed to keep sitting on that stool—and he only nudged her off so he could reach it. On a day when everything seemed to go wrong, Connor turned out to be the only one who could save the school from a dog-caused Code Yellow! Told from the point of view of a child with Asperger Syndrome, author Jodi Carmichael highlights some of the challenges—and triumphs—of experiencing a day at school from a different perspective. Heartwarming, funny, and charmingly illustrated, Spaghetti is NOT a Finger Food is the winner of four awards: The Mom' s Choice Gold Award; The Moonbeam Best First Book Award; The Professionals Network Recognition of Merit; and The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Digital Award.
Big Brother Dustin
Published in 1997
A boy with Down Syndrome helps his parents and grandparents get ready for the birth of his baby sister and chooses the perfect name for her.
The William Hoy Story
How a Deaf Baseball Player Changed the Game
Published in 2016
Traces the story of the deaf baseball player, who, after securing a position on a professional team for hearing players, endured prejudice and requested the use of hand signals that became a part of how the game is played today.
See the Ocean
Published in 1994
Driving through mountain fog to the beach, two young brothers compete to see who will catch the first glimpse of the ocean, but it is their blind sister Nellie who senses it first.
It Was Supposed to Be Sunny
Published in 2021
"Laila's birthday party, perfectly planned with her autism in mind, goes awry due to a change in weather and an accident with her cake, but with the help of her mom and her service dog, Laila knows she can handle this"-- Provided by publisher.
The Black Book of Colors
Published in 2008
This title invites readers to imagine living without sight through remarkable illustrations done with raised lines and descriptions of colors based on imagery. Braille letters accompany the illustrations and a full Braille alphabet offers sighted readers help reading along with their fingers.
Brian's Bird
Published in 2000
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.
The Flight of a Dove
Published in 2004
Four-year-old Betsy, an autistic child, begins to improve after she sees a dove, one of the animals at her preschool, fly into the air. Based on a true story.
Looking After Louis
Published in 2004
When a new boy with autism joins their classroom, the children try to understand his world and to include him in theirs.
If You're So Smart, How Come You Can't Spell Mississippi?
Published in 2008
Introduces the mainstream student and educator to the world of the child who struggles academically. The main character discovers her father is dyslexic, as is one of her classmates-- and she tries to make sense of it.
Henry the Boy
Published in 2019
Henry, a boy with cerebral palsy, goes to school and plays with his friend Joel.
Be Good to Eddie Lee
Published in 1993
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.
I Will Dance
Published in 2020
Eva's cerebral palsy makes it difficult for her to do many things, but she longs to dance and, finally, her dream is realized. Includes author's note and information about Young Dance Company.
Seal Surfer
Published in 1996
Although he is on crutches, a boy goes to the beach with his grandfather, where they watch a seal being born, and over the following seasons, the boy and the seal develop a special bond.
The Hickory Chair
Published in 2001
A blind boy tells of his warm relationship with his grandmother and the gift she left for him after her death.
Hello Goodbye Dog
Published in 2017
A student who uses a wheelchair finds a way to see her dog each day in school.
Keeping Up with Roo
Published in 2004
Gracie has always had a special bond with her Aunt Roo, who is mentally disabled, but that relationship starts to change when Gracie begins school.
Gramma's Walk
Published in 1993
Donnie and Gramma, who is in a wheelchair, take an imagined walk to the seashore and smell the salty breeze, walk barefoot on the warm sand, observe animals, and build a sand castle.
Every Turtle Counts
Published in 2014
"Each year, highly endangered young sea turtles wash up frozen on the beaches of Cape Cod, thousands of miles from their nesting ground. The massive effort to rehabilitate and relocate them has resulted in beach walkers, local organizations, and a large aquarium all pulling together to save the planet's rarest breed of sea turtle, the Kemp's ridley. When one of earth's rarest sea turtles washes up on the shores of Cape Cod, only one special child is sure it can be saved. Based on the extensive national effort to preserve the last of the Kemp's ridley turtles, Every Turtle Counts is the touching story of Mimi, a seven-year-old whose challenges, like the turtle's, are many but whose determination is undaunted."--Publisher's website.
Let's Hear It for Almigal
Published in 2012
Meet Almigal, a spunky little girl with a BIG personality who's determined to hear "every single sound in the whole entire universe!" That includes ... her friend Isabella's baby brother's funny giggle, the robins singing outside her bedroom window, the soft Swan Song Madam plays during ballet class, and especially her friend Chloe's teeny-tiny voice. But most of all, Almigal wants to hear her Mommy and Daddy whisper, "We love you, Almigal!" when they tuck her into bed at night. Almigal's spirit and her cotton-candy pink cochlear implants will have everyone shouting, "Let's hear it for Almigal!"
Ian's Walk
A Story About Autism
Published in 1998
A young girl realizes how much she cares for her autistic brother Ian when he gets lost at the park.
Bitter Dumplings
Published in 2002
After her father dies, a young Chinese woman struggles to survive and finds she has much in common with an old hunchbacked woman in her village.
In Jesse's Shoes
Appreciating Kids with Special Needs
Published in 2007
Allie helps Jesse, her older, mentally disabled brother on his way to school and endures the taunts of other children, but she does not understand why God made Jesse the way he is until she takes the time to "walk in his shoes" for a while.
I Am Helen Keller
Published in 2015
"The story of Helen Keller, who learned to read and write despite being deaf and blind, and became an activist who fought for the rights of disabled people"-- Provided by publisher.
Moses Goes to a Concert
Published in 1998
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.
Lucy's Picture
Published in 1995
A young girl creates a special picture that her blind grandfather can "see" with his hands.
Imagine Me on a Sit-ski!
Published in 1995
A child who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair describes learning to ski with adaptive equipment.
I Can't Stop!
A Story About Tourette Syndrome
Published in 2005
A boy is diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and learns about constructive ways he can manage his condition. Includes nonfiction information from a physician.
My Brother Charlie
Published in 2010
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.
The Junkyard Wonders
Published in 2010
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."
Colors of the Wind
The Story of Blind Artist and Champion Runner George Mendoza
Published in 2014
George started going blind at age 15 from a degenerative eye disease. George lost his central vision and started seeing things that weren't there--eyes floating in the air, extraordinary colors, objects multiplied and reflected back. He triumphed over his blindness by setting the world record in the mile for blind runners, competing in the Olympics for the Disabled, and becoming a full time painter.
A Boy and a Jaguar
Published in 2014
2015 Schneider Family Book Award Winner Alan loves animals, but the great cat house at the Bronx Zoo makes him sad. Why are they all alone in empty cages? Are they being punished? More than anything, he wants to be their champion—their voice—but he stutters uncontrollably. Except when he talks to animals... Then he is fluent. Follow the life of the man Time Magazine calls, "the Indiana Jones of wildlife conservation"as he searches for his voice and fulfills a promise to speak for animals, and people, who cannot speak for themselves. This real-life story with tender illustrations by Catia Chien explores truths not defined by the spoken word.
A Boy and a Jaguar
Published in 2014
The renowned cat conservationist reflects on his early childhood struggles with a speech disorder, describing how he only spoke fluently when he was communicating with animals and how he resolved at a young age to find his voice to be their advocate.
The Handmade Alphabet
Published in 1991
Presents the handshape for each letter of the American manual alphabet accompanied by an object whose name begins with that letter.
The Alphabet War
A Story About Dyslexia
Published in 2004
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.
Talking is Not My Thing
Published in 2020
A girl with autism who almost never speaks demonstrates how easily she communicates with her brother and grandmother through facial expressions, gestures, flashcards, and drawings.
Sarah's Sleepover
Published in 2000
When the lights go out while her cousins are spending the night, a young blind girl shows them what to do in the dark.
Just Ask!
Be Different, Be Brave, Be You
Published in 2019
In this creative non-fiction story, Sonia and her friends plant a garden, and each one contributes in his or her own special way, in a book that celebrates the many differences among humans. In this warm and inclusive story by U.S. Supreme Justice Sonia Sotomayor, inspired by her own childhood diagnosis of diabetes, readers join along as differently abled kids use their strengths to work together and learn about each other.
Kami and the Yaks
Published in 2007
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.
Emmanuel's Dream
The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah
Published in 2015
Born in Ghana, West Africa, with one deformed leg, he was dismissed by most people--but not by his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams. As a boy, Emmanuel hopped to school more than two miles each way, learned to play soccer, left home at age thirteen to provide for his family, and, eventually, became a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability. Today, Emmanuel continues to work on behalf of the disabled.
Andy and His Yellow Frisbee
Published in 1996
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.
Susan Laughs
Published in 2000
Rhyming couplets describe a wide range of common emotions and activities experienced by a little girl who uses a wheelchair.
Crow Boy
Published in 1955
The story of a strange, shy little boy in a Japanese village school who was ignored by his classmates until suddenly, and almost too late, a new teacher showed them that Crow Boy had much to offer.
Crow Boy
Published in 1975
A shy mountain boy in Japan is ridiculed by his schoolmates, but they stop when they understand why he is "different."