Fiction Favorites for Children with Disabilities

If you are a parent and your child is feeling down about something, chances are you try everything you can to make them feel better.

But, what if the thing they are feeling down about is something you aren’t sure how to explain?

Some parents turn to children’s books that explain the answers to difficult questions in a way young children understand. This approach can be useful for life changes like moving away or having to wear glasses when the other kids don’t.

But, what about feeling different about using a wheelchair or having to ride around in handicap vehicles?

Luckily, there are some very talented authors out there that have created children’s books specifically for children who use wheelchairs or have a friend that uses one. Here’s a brief list of a few we found that could be useful as comfort or teaching aids:

Cinderella’s Magical Wheelchair

This story features a new twist on a classic children’s story character, Cinderella. In this version, Cinderella is in a wheelchair and has to overcome both the abuse of her stepmother and use her own abilities to change her future.

This fairytale gives children in wheelchairs a role model to look up to and relate with. It teaches kids that they can pave their own way and take life’s challenges in stride.

Mr. Millet’s Farm

This story was written with a little boy, named Raj, with Cerebral Palsy in mind. It’s about a bear that uses a wheelchair and goes to visit the animals at Mr. Millet’s farm. Once there, the bear realizes that every animal at the farm is a little bit different and he learns how great it is to be unique.

This book is one that both children with disabilities and those without can learn from. The story helps to promote awareness and acceptance of disabilities for all young children.

Libby and the Cape of Visitability

This book is about three friends and their journey to stay friends while faced by challenges. Aria, who uses a wheelchair, isn’t able to get into Libby’s new house because it’s not accessible. But, after meeting a wheelchair athlete who teaches the friends about a disability rights movement, they decide to take matters into their own hands and lobby for every new house in their town to be accessible.

This story teaches children, both with and without disabilities, about equality. But, more than that it helps spread awareness about the rights of people with disabilities.

Which children’s books are your go-to stories for helping kids face challenges? What advice do you have for parents who don’t know what to say to their child in the event of a tough challenge?

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