The information on this page offers guidance in selecting literature that has characters in the disability community. These resources are available outside of the library databases, and can be accessed after graduation.
Some questions to ask as you read:
This list is adapted from Rethinking Schools, 10 Quick Ways to Analyze Children's Books for Ableism by Chloe Myers and Hank Bersani, Jr. and Social Justice Books Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children's Books by Louise Derman-Sparks
The Schneider Family Book Awards, administered by the American Library Association, "honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences." Find out more about this award from the home page: https://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/schneider-family-book-award. Click here for the Schneider Family Book Award Manual (PDF).
The Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award recognizes authors, illustrators, and publishers of high quality fictional and biographical books for children and youth that authentically portray individuals with developmental disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and Down syndrome. Read more about this award at: https://www.dollygrayaward.com
"All young people need books they can read and enjoy. In addition to identifying excellent picture books and novels with plots that feature characters with varied abilities, we believe it is important for children and teens to be able to read on their own whenever possible. By highlighting accessible books, we increase the opportunities for people of all abilities to read independently. Access is enhanced through a range of formats such as Braille, Picture Communication Symbols, Sign language, Easy-to-Read language, tactile or textured illustrations, dyslexia-friendly font and other design features." source
More information about submission guidelines can be found here: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/ibby/submission-guidelines.jsp
Consult these resources to find youth literature featuring characters with disabilities. There is no one source to determine whether an author is part of the disability community they write about. However, often this information is available in the author note at the back of the book, in the author bio for the book, or on the author website.
Adomat, D. S. (2014). Exploring issues of disability in children’s literature discussions. Disability Studies Quarterly, 34(3). https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.18061/dsq.v34i3.3865
Catchpole, J. & Catchpole, L. (2021, August 8). Disability- tropes in children's picture books. The Catchpoles. https://thecatchpoles.net/2021/08/08/disability-in-childrens-books-some-thoughts-for-teachers/
Hayden, H. E., & Prince, A. M. (2023). Disrupting ableism: Strengths-based representations of disability in children’s picture books. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 23(2), 236–261. https://doi-org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1177/1468798420981751
Hollins, K.G. and Schlessinger, S.L. (2024), Beyond representation: Using nonfiction children's literature to address ableism. Read Teach. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2289
Myers, C & Bersani Jr., H. (2008/2009). 10 quick way to analyze children's books for ableism. Rethinking Schools, 23(2). https://rethinkingschools.org/articles/10-quick-ways-to-analyze-children-s-books-for-ableism/
Tondreau, A., & Rabinowitz, L. (2021). Analyzing representations of individuals with disabilities in picture books. Read Teach, 75(1), 61–71. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2017
