Casual inclusion of disabled characters
This list comprises books which include disabled characters within their images and/or story naturally, subtly and often without comment.
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The Giant Turnip
Author: Henriette Barkow Illustrator: Richard Johnson
Publisher: Mantra Lingua
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 6+The children in Miss Honeywood's class decide to grow vegetables in their school garden. What a shock they get when they discover a huge turnip that they are unable to move.
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Small Steps
Author: Louis Sachar
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 8+Small Steps is the indirect sequel to Holes and follows the fortunes of its protagonist, Armpit, once he leaves Camp Green Lake and returns home.
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The Great Big Book of Families
Author: Mary Hoffman Illustrator: Ros Asquith
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 7+The Great Big Book of Families is about the diversity of families. The simple message is that every family is unique and special and that there is no such thing as 'normal' or 'abnormal'. Books simply don’t get much more inclusive than this.
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It's Raining! It's Pouring! We're Exploring!
Author: Polly Peters Illustrator: Jess Stockham
Publisher: Child's Play
Interest age: 0+
Reading age: 5+Three children are stuck inside while it's raining. Luckily they have plenty of imaginative ideas to turn a potentially dull and dreary day into a series of exhilarating adventures.
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The Ding-Dong Bag
Author: Polly Peters Illustrator: Jess Stockham
Publisher: Child's Play
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 5+The fast-moving and rhythmic text make this great book perfect for reading aloud, and a subtle arm splint on one of the boys is typical of Child’s Play’s inclusive approach to books.
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White Dolphin
Author: Gill Lewis
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 11+A young dolphin, washed up on the beach, unexpectedly brings Kara and Felix together. But the new friends must take on new challenges - finding out the truth about Kara's missing mother, and protecting the bay when it falls under threat.
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Max the Champion
Author: Sean Stockdale and Alexandra Strick Illustrator: Ros Asquith
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 4+
Reading age: 5+This inclusive book is about a boy who loves sport, his friends, and school - and has a vivid imagination
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Made By Raffi
Author: Craig Pomranz Illustrator: Margaret Chamberlain
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Interest age: 5+
Reading age: 5+A delightful and gently revolutionary picture book that challenges our absurd notions about what constitutes 'normal' or 'appropriate'.
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My Big Barefoot Book of Wonderful Words
Author: Sophie Fatus
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Interest age: 2-6 years
A simple concept but a hugely satisfying wealth of material is offered up in this vibrant catalogue of words and pictures. The reader is first introduced to a diverse cast of characters before joining them in a jubilant celebration of a busy family’s daily life, covering everything from getting dressed and making breakfast to visiting the library, goin…
