5 Beautiful Children's Books on Inclusion, Disability and Connection
July 22, 2019
Beautiful things happen when everyone is included. Our kids will be the leaders of our future, so it should be a top priority to teach them the wonderful ways in which they can be leaders in understanding and supporting inclusivity, especially around disabilities.
Reading books can help your child grow in their school life and social life. It has been well documented that reading books develops empathy and emotional intelligence - particularly when reading fiction. Fiction can help children achieve social milestones that may not always be overtly taught in classrooms - such as friendship, kindness and inclusion.
Read about our five handpicked children’s books that celebrate difference, promote inclusivity and teach children about disability.
1. The Geese March In Step by Jean-Francois Dumont
A warm story that explores the freedom of being different. It tells the story of Zita, a young goose, who must march in time to the pond with Igor, the head goose. As all the farmyard geese ‘goose-step’ each morning, Zita begins celebrating his own rhythm and steps to a beat of his own. Eventually, all the other animals follow his lead in creating their own dance to the pond with erupting joy all around.
2. Cosmo Gets An Ear by Gary Clemente and Eugene Yelchin
This interactive book talks about the pleasant and fun experiences along the journey from hearing loss to hearing aids. It’s funny, light-hearted and allows the reader to learn and interact with all things hearing on Cosmo’s journey.
3. Drawn Together by Minh Lê. Illus. and Dan Santat
Drawn Together follows the beautiful story of a boy and his Thai grandfather who struggle to communicate. Despite the age difference and cultural differences creating awkward and frustrating barriers to communication- they interact and form bonds through their mutual love of art.
4. Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
This gorgeous book tells a colourful story through illustrations and a handful of words of a girl called Susan. Throughout the book, Susan does all of the normal childhood activities such as laughing, crying, singing, playing… It’s not until the last page of the book that it is revealed Susan is in a wheelchair, with the author explaining to the reader that Susan ‘is just like me, just like you’.
Susan Laughs highlights how even though we may sometimes seem different, we are all the same.
5. Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel
Hello Hello is brightly illustrated to capture the story of many different animals linked together along a textured and colourful journey. Throughout the book, even though the animals are all different they each share at least one connection for the reader to look out for.
Make sure you’re on top of your child’s hearing by downloading the free, clinically-proven, and government-funded Sound Scouts app now.
