Books with positive images of disability and neurodivergence: see the best of the year 2024
Here are the children's books which we highlighted in 2024 as useful for discussing disability, neurodiversity and inclusive issues with young readers.
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Mama Car
Author: Lucy Catchpole Illustrator: Karen George
Publisher: Faber
Interest age: 4-5
A hugely appealing picture book offering a child’s perspective on family life with wheelchair-using mum.
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Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf
Author: Craig Barr-Green Illustrator: Francis Martin
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 6+Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with a neurodivergent protagonist.
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We Can! - Make a Difference
Author: Alexandra Strick Illustrator: Steve Antony
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 5+An inclusive picture book about 15 children who are planning a We Can festival, written with real children.
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The Invisible Story
Author: Jaime Gamboa Illustrator: Wen Hsu Chen Translator: Daniel Hahn
Publisher: Lantana Books
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+A beautiful translated picture book celebrating braille.
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One Extra Sparkle: Ellie and the Marriage List
Author: Tricia Seabolt Illustrator: Lucy Rogers
Publisher: Lantana
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+A light-hearted middle-grade story about family and friendship with a protagonist who has Down syndrome.
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Flora Stormer and the Golden Lotus
Author: Isabella Harcourt Illustrator: Hannah McCaffery
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+A pacy, accessible and high-drama adventure with a neurodivergent protagonist.
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Reggie Houser Has the Power
Author: Helen Rutter
Publisher: Scholastic Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+A touching, light-hearted book about finding confidence and friendship.
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Tosh’s Island
Author: Linda Sargent & Joe Brady Illustrator: Leo Marcell
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+When Tosh meets Louis, they bond over their shared imagining of a magical island. A moving graphic novel about friendship, imagination and chronic illness.
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Witchspark
Author: Dominique Valente Illustrator: Eleonora Asparuhhova
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+An enthralling story of two witches learning that magic is within us all.
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Lights Up
Author: Lisette Auton Illustrator: Valentina Toro
Publisher: Puffin Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9-11A magical story told across three different centuries, aboutfriendship, loss, ghosts – and lots of spiders.
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When I Feel Red
Author: Lily Bailey
Publisher: Orion
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+A touching and accessible book about finding your own way.
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I Am Wolf
Author: Alastair Chisholm
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-14
Reading age: 9+A pacy dystopian page-turner.
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Moving on Up
Author: Rosie Jones Illustrator: Hayley Wells
Publisher: Wren & Rook
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Written by comedian Rosie Jones, this superb book about growing up explores a range of topics that will resonate with readers as they transition from childhood to their teenage years.
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A History of My Weird
Author: Chloe Heuch
Publisher: Firefly Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+An absorbing story about friendship and acceptance, featuring a neurodivergent protagonist.
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Raz Beri
Author: Matt Stephens
Publisher: Firefly
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 12+A humorous yet hard-hitting book about football, friendship and standing up for what’s right.
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Keedie
Author: Elle McNicoll
Publisher: Knights Of
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 9-11A powerful book about a neurodivergent protagonist taking a stand against bullying and hypocrisy.
