The best Autism and Disability Awareness picture books for parents and teachers, sorted by grade. Read alouds from our channel come first.
Book League Storytime Adventures earns a small commission when you buy through the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As a Bookshop.org affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases, which also support independent bookstores.
Stories about kids with autism, ADHD, and disabilities, for understanding, inclusion, and seeing yourself in a book.
26 books · 6 with a read aloud on our channel
Ricky can't roll like the other rocks, so his friends find a way to help. A rhyming story about inclusion that kids ask for again and again.
Sammy's day is going terribly, and his autistic little brother Benji is having a rough one too. Then Benji finds his own way to comfort him. Tender and real.
Marcus has ADHD and loves to build, so he tackles a class blueprint his own way. A wonderful book about different brains being a strength.
Pi the robot gets so anxious before a class field trip that their systems start to glitch, until a doctor shares ways to cope. A playful, reassuring look at anxiety and how to cope.
Before Career Day, Mila tries out every dream job from dessert chef to rockstar ballerina. A fun, empowering book about dreaming big.
Henry, a boy on the autism spectrum, searches his classroom for a friend and finally connects with Katie. A sweet, honest story about friendship on your own terms.
Mila is deaf, wears cochlear implants, and is determined to prove she can do things on her own. An empowering book about believing in yourself and asking for help.
A storm moves Laila's birthday party indoors, and a cake mishap makes her want to cancel everything. With support from Mom and her service dog, she adjusts. Great for flexible thinking.
Samuel, a boy with autism, colors everything blue and gets teased, until his teacher calls his drawing a masterpiece. A warm book about accepting differences.
This upbeat book explains how autistic kids experience the world and celebrates those differences instead of treating them as problems. A positive pick for talking about autism.
Jasmine's letters get mixed up when she writes, so she tells her class story through pictures. A beautiful book about kids who learn differently.
A beach trip turns overwhelming with all the noise and crowds, but Dad helps his child find ways to calm down and have fun. Great for sensory sensitive kids.
A girl describes her autistic friend Benny in rhyme, from the things he doesn't like to all the reasons she loves him. Simple and full of acceptance.
Tiffany Hammond shows a day with her nonspeaking autistic son, who communicates with his tablet. A loving reminder that there are many ways to talk.
Jamie wants to play with Dylan, an autistic boy, but he doesn't play the way she expects. She keeps trying until they find a way. Practical and kind.
Four autistic kids flap, rock, and spin to handle a noisy, overwhelming world. A joyful book that celebrates stimming as a natural way to cope.
Minda Dentler, who had polio as a child, becomes the first woman wheelchair athlete to complete the Ironman World Championship. An inspiring true story of determination.
Temple Grandin saw the world differently as an autistic girl and used her gift to change how animals are treated. A rhyming, uplifting biography.
Callie's twin brother Charlie has autism, and she shares what makes him hard to understand and what makes him wonderful. An honest, loving sibling story.
Shane Burcaw answers the questions kids ask about his wheelchair and life with a disability, with humor and honesty. Perfect for curious kids.
Rescue, a service dog in training, and Jessica, who lost her legs, become a team that changes both their lives. A true story about resilience and friendship.
A bright, joyful look at disabled kids and adults moving through their community and finding connection. A wonderful book about access, belonging, and joy.
A young girl with big sensory needs uses wiggles, stomps, and squeezes to get through her day. A validating, honest look at sensory differences and stimming.
Born in Ghana with one strong leg, Emmanuel biked nearly 400 miles across his country to show what people with disabilities can do. A moving true story of determination.
A class of special needs students, inspired by a teacher who believes they are all geniuses, builds something amazing from junk. A celebration of teachers and kids who think differently.
Trisha struggles to read and feels dumb, until a new teacher helps her overcome her difficulty. Patricia Polacco's true story about the teacher who changed her life.