Positive portrayals of disabilities in children's fiction

[steviesmith]

I was set the task of finding books featuring children with disabilities as part of my librarian studies.

My 3yr old DS's collection of books feature a couple of children in wheelchairs and the local library is no better really. So can anyone recommend any good books, ones with proper plots rather than thinly disguised discussions of issues?

Any age group really but I'm particularly interested in younger children.

"Topsy and Tim make a new friend" is good for younger children, their friend is in a wheelchair.

There's also Can I Tell You About Asperger Syndrome? by Jude Welton. It doesn't have a plot, but is excellent for explaining the condition in the form of a story. Suitable for 8+

Not sure if this is quite what you were looking for but it was one of my favourites when I was little and the main character cannot walk. I don't remember the full story but I think he is banished because he is disabled.

The Percy Jackson series? All the demi-gods are dyslexic and have ADHD (it's to do with being hard-wired for ancient Greek, not modern English, and being in a constant state of battle readiness).

Hi, I'm the author/illustrator of Just Because - about my son and severely disabled daughter (just found out today it's been shortlisted for the NASEN children's book awards - yay! - and also worth checking out if you're researching this kind of thing). Anyhoo, positive portrayals of disabled kids in books and the media us a bit of a bugbear of mine - I've written articles in various magazines and The Independent on the subject - sorry this is starting to sound like a CV! What I'm trying to say us if you want to get in touch about anything please do - you can email me via my website www.rebeccaelliott.com . Thanks! Rebecca xx

Welcome home Jellybean by Marlene Fanta Shyer

It is a bit dated, set in New York in the early 80's?, but good to see how things have progressed in the last decade..

I've always read Wibbly Pig's Silly Big Bear (Mick Inkpen) as being about disability. And would second Sleepover Club by Jacqueline Wilson.

I love the Percy Jackson books but am very ambivalent about their disabilities=superpowers theme.

Thank you all for your suggestions. Congratulations Becsteroony on your award; your book looks great. It's really naive of me but I'm absolutely shocked by how poorly represented children with disabilities are. I'm even more shocked that it didn't occur to me there was something missing from my DS's book collection until now.

Blabbermouth by Maurice Gleitzman is about a girl who can't speak, so not physical disability but it's very positive and deals with the issue of teasing / prejudice well. It's probably suitable for about 8 years and over.

I read a book called 'Sweet Frannie' in the 80's - she was in a wheelchair.

Warrior Scarlett by Rosemary Sutcliffe is a classic where the hero is a bronze age boy with a withered arm who has to slay a wolf to be initiated into his tribe. He has a one-armed hunter as a mentor. It's very well done. Rosemary Sutcliffe was herself disabled - result of childhood polio - and I think she may have done other books with disabled characters/themes.

Jeanne Willis has a picture book all about a girl in a wheelchair - can't remember name now.

What Katy Did/ What Katy Did Next