There are many books that feature wheelchair users, but here some that I am familiar with and am happy to recommend!
Have you heard of any of these books or recognize any of the authors? I was pleasantly surprised to see a book by Robert Munsch and also Quentin Blake. All the Way to the Top is a great non-fiction book about a very important moment in history and Ali and the Sea Stars is by the talented Broadway singer Ali Stroker. All of them are wonderfully written stories that would be a great addition to any home library.
I hope these books are able to open conversations in your home and introduce positive disability representation. Enjoy, and let me know which ones you liked the most.
Dancing with Daddy
Elsie can’t wait to go to her first father-daughter dance. She picked out the perfect dress and has been practicing swirling and swaying in her wheelchair. Elsie’s heart pirouettes as she prepares for her special night. With gestures, smiles, and words from a book filled with pictures, she shares her excitement with her family. But when a winter storm comes, she wonders if she’ll get the chance to spin and dance her way to a dream come true.
Zoom
by Robert Munsch
Finally it’s time for Lauretta to get a new wheelchair. But she isn’t satisfied with a regular 5- or 10- speed model. Nothing will do but the 92-speed, black, silver and red, dirt bike wheelchair! When Lauretta gets a speeding ticket during her one-day tryout of the super wheels, her parents tell her the wheelchair has to go back. But when her brother has an accident, only Lauretta and her 92-speed, black, silver and red, dirt-bike wheelchair can get him to the hospital in time!
Ben’s Adventures: Under the Big Top!
Ben loves school. And Ben loves his teacher. He always has so much fun. But what happens in class when he lets his imagination soar? A day under the big top, perhaps? His teacher learns to juggle. He launches his brother from a cannon. His friend flies on the trapeze. There are even lions, elephants and clowns. Ben uses a wheelchair, but he’s still a child just like the others in his class. He has fun, dreams, aspirations and friends. Paired with vivid illustrations and written in verse, this beautiful book is fun-to-read for all kids and will help them to think about disability and kindness. The important and inspiring messages in this Ben’s Adventures children’s book series are suitable for everyone, helping us to accept and embrace differences and appreciate what makes us unique. Messages of acceptance and inclusion, friendship and family make the books perfect for teaching young kids that people are more similar than they are different. Follow along with these inspiring stories about a boy who loves to dream. Get it NOW and then download the FREE Activity Fun Guide at Bens-Adventures.com. Best-selling author of Out of My Mind, Sharon M. Draper, says “These books are awesome and really necessary!”
The Five of Us
Angie, Ollie, Simona, Mario, and Eric are five fantastic friends, each of whom has an unusual ability. Disaster strikes on a day in the countryside, but by working together and combining their individual powers, the Fantastic Five save the day. Teeming with Quentin Blake’s characteristic sense of fun and exuberant illustrations, The Five of Us is a powerful though subtle reminder that the world is a better place when we focus on what we can do rather than what we can’t.
Hello Goodbye Dog
For Zara’s dog, Moose, nothing is more important than being with his favorite girl. So when Zara has to go to school, WHOOSH, Moose escapes and rushes to her side.
Hello, Moose
Unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed at school and Moose has to go back home.
Goodbye, Moose.
But Moose can’t be held back for long. Through a series of escalating escapes, this loyal dog always finds her way back to Zara, and with a little bit of training and one great idea, the two friends find a way to be together all day long.
Ali and the Sea Stars
by Ali Stroker
Tony Award-winning actress Ali Stroker captures the magic and community of theater in her debut picture book, about a spirited girl in a wheelchair who stages a show for her hometown. Based on the pivotal summer Ali performed in her first musical by the Jersey Shore!
Ali loves to dance, sing, and act. But she had never thought of putting on her own show until her neighbor asks, “Why wait?” Immediately energized, Ali gets to work.
There’s so much to do before showtime—choosing the right musical, auditions, rehearsal, costume and set design—but Ali can do anything with her family and friends. When a storm threatens to undo all their hard work, Ali must use her imagination and adapt so the show can go on!
Includes an inspiring letter from Ali to readers on how she developed confidence while on-stage and how theater encourages teamwork and creativity.
King for a Day
Malik, a Pakistani boy who uses a wheelchair, is excited to compete in the annual kite-flying festival of Basant. Can his kite defeat the bully’s and make him King of the festival?
Basant is here, with feasts and parties to celebrate the arrival of spring. But what Malik is looking forward to most is doing battle from his rooftop with Falcon, the special kite he has built for speed. Today is Malik’s chance to be the best kite fighter, the king of Basant.
In two fierce battles, Malik takes down the kites flown by the bully next door. Then Malik moves on, guiding Falcon into leaps, swirls, and dives, slashing strings and plucking kites from the sky. By the end of the day, Malik has a big pile of captured kites. He is the king! But then the bully reappears, trying to take a kite from a girl in the alley below. With a sudden act of kingly generosity, Malik finds the perfect way to help the girl.
This lively, contemporary story introduces readers to a centuries-old festival and the traditional sport of kite fighting, and to a spirited, determined young boy who masters the sport while finding his own way to face and overcome life’s challenges.
Ben’s Adventures: Day at the Beach
A heartwarming children’s book series about a little boy who demonstrates the power of his imagination.
In this fun first adventure in the Ben’s Adventures children’s book series, you’ll smile as you join Ben on his first adventure to the beach. He uses a wheelchair but shows he is just like any other child.
Paired with vivid illustrations and written in verse, this beautiful book is fun-to-read for all kids and will help them to think about disability and kindness. The important themes of inclusion and empathy, friendship and connection are suitable for everyone, helping us to accept and embrace differences and appreciate what makes us unique. Ben shows us that ALL kids can play & dream.
Susan Laughs
Susan laughs, she sings. she rides, she swings.
She gets angry, she gets sad, she is good, she is bad…
Told in rhyme, this story follows Susan through a series of familiar activities. She swims with her father, works hard in school, plays with her friends — and even rides a horse. Lively, thoughtfully drawn illustrations reveal a portrait of a busy, happy little girl with whom younger readers will identify. Not until the end of the story is it revealed that Susan uses a wheelchair.
All the Way to the Top
Experience the true story of lifelong activist Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins and her participation in the Capitol Crawl in this autobiographical picture book.
This is the story of a little girl who just wanted to go, even when others tried to stop her.
Jennifer Keelan was determined to make a change―even if she was just a kid. She never thought her wheelchair could slow her down, but the way the world around her was built made it hard to do even simple things. Like going to school, or eating lunch in the cafeteria.
Jennifer knew that everyone deserves a voice! Then the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law that would make public spaces much more accessible to people with disabilities, was proposed to Congress. And to make sure it passed, Jennifer went to the steps of the Capitol building in Washington DC to convince them.
And, without her wheelchair, she climbed.
ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP!
Best Day Ever!
A sweet dog-loves-kid/kid-loves-dog story, in which the kid uses a wheelchair, from an award-winning children’s poet and talented debut illustrator.
This playful puppy thinks she’s having the best day ever! She’s so happy to be out with her friend, she doesn’t even realize that she’s being a little naughty. But then he scolds her, and suddenly—Worst. Day. Ever. Will puppy be able to make amends and turn their day back around?
Join an exuberant, boundary-pushing pup and her exasperated boy in this reassuring story about unconditional love and the challenges of trying to always be on your best behavior.