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The following 10 books are centered around the main theme of disabilities and accepting those
friends, family members and people who are slightly different from us. They all promote diversity
and many of them teach young students about the many disabilities and differences that surround
them. These books are for use in the Pre k 4th grade age range. They are especially useful if a
student with a disability is present in your classroom or school building.
A summary and three key ideas or themes featured in the book along with suggested activities or
lessons that can be used (and altered to fit appropriate developmental standards for certain age
levels) are provided. The corresponding Virginia Foundation Learning Blocks for preschool
aged children are also noted.
Attached to the end of the document are evaluations and quality checklists for each individual
book.
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Recommended Use: An activity that could go along with this book would be to have students
create a disability museum or learn about fair where groups of students could choose a
disability that was featured in the book to research further and present to the class on. This would
promote learning of all the different disabilities that can affect other students and peoples lives.
Recommended Use: As an activity to go along with this fun and introductory book about
Asperger syndrome students could create individual or come up with a list as a whole class of
key characteristics of Asperger Syndrome that they learned from the book. Using that (those)
list(s) students can then think about activities or accommodations that would be helpful to a
student with Asperger Syndrome.
Recommended Use: This book could be used during a unit or lesson learning about families. It
features a real-life family that happens to have a child that has autism. It would provide a good
example of a unique family member. Children could even engage in an art activity making their
own books about their family.
Summary: This book is about two twins, Charlie and his sister
Callie. They are different yet alike in many ways. Callie tells the
story of her brother, Charlie, who has autism. She shines a positive
light on her brothers situation by sharing all the many special talents
he has, like the way her handles their dog Harriett. However, she also
understands that he communicates differently but she continues to stay patient with her brother.
She tells the reader about the loving family that surrounds them and the encouragement they give
to Charlie and his growing list of accomplishments.
Recommended Use: A relevant activity that could go along with reading this book would be to
have students draw themselves and write characteristics that describe them and then make
another one for Charlie. They could compare them side by side. The teacher could then talk
about how Charlies disability do give him some unique characteristics while at the same time
show how many shared characteristics there are between them both, much like Charlie and his
sister Callie.
Summary: Just Because features a little boy named Toby and his big
sister Clemmie. Toby describes all the fun he has with Clemmie who he
loves so much. He doesnt worry that Clemmie has specially needs and
that she "can't walk, talk, move around much. He admits he doesnt
understand why some people can do things and others cannot to which he simply answers with
Just because. The brother and sister bond that the two characters hold is a tight one. Toby
shows this by expressing his love for all the great things his sister can do like point to things in
books, draw, cuddle him to sleep and eat crayons.
Caitlin Boerner
Multicultural Text Set
ELED 372
Recommended Use: An activity that could be used after reading Just because is to have the
students learn about stereotypes with Just because worksheets. Students would write down
statements such as Just Because I am ____, doesnt mean I ____. This would have students
recognize the many stereotypes and assumptions about different types of people as well as notice
the feelings those types of people have about those statements.
Recommended Use: A thoughtful activity that could be used with The Alphabet War is to have
students read a passage in which the words were not all spelt correctly or had letters flipped
around to create for the class what it feels like to suffer from Dyslexia. It is an eye opening
activity that places the students in another persons shoes.
Summary: This book features the true story of Sarah, who is a blind
musician and teacher, her dog Perry. Perry helps Sarah go shopping, to
the post office and to school. Sarah gives her story to children about the
time that Perry and her walked to Boston from New York showing that
even being blind that she can accomplish many things with the help of
her dog Perry.
Recommended Use: An activity that could intertwine the literature, understanding of blindness,
and geography would be to have student locate Boston and New York on a map of the United
States. The teacher would guide them in calculating the distance that Sarah and her guide dog
traveled. Along with this they could note the places or things that Sarah would have seen on her
journey if she was able to see and write descriptions that Sarah could have read about those
places.
Recommended Use: This book could be combined with an art activity where students create
their own Rainbow of friends. Students would work together to make a large rainbow which
they all paint together. Collage materials of multi-cultural faces, families, clothing etc. as well as
pictures of the students and their friends could be glued to the rainbow creating a class
representation of a Rainbow of friends.
Recommended Use: A fun art activity that would give students the chance to share unique facts
about themselves while also learning about multiculturalism and diversity is to have students add
another page to the book featuring themselves. The students would pick a sentence about
themselves that they believe makes them different, like the ones of the characters in Its Okay to
be Different. They would write that sentence and draw a corresponding picture of themselves
filled with vibrant colors as Todd Parr uses in his book to make a class version of Its Okay to be
Different.
The following items are provided as a means of assessing the quality of these 10 childrens
picture books. While all books will not address every item, it is important that the book
addresses a number of items in each section. In addition to the quality checklist is a short
evaluation note on the presence of ableism and multiculturalism.
Evaluation Notes: This book did an excellent job at inclusion of all types of disabilities. It is
informative and includes characters that are clearly from different backgrounds and cultural
groups. The book explains how calling children with disabilities special is a term that is
outdated and disliked by those with disabilities.
The story:
is interesting to children.
offers children a variety of things to think about, question, or consider.
is age-appropriate and children can understand what is represented.
includes a rich, thick plot.
includes a problem and resolution
utilizes style and language that are appropriate for the childrens ages and interests.
includes realistic, convincing characters.
The illustrations:
Cultural considerations:
Evaluation Notes: This book highlights the unique qualities of individuals with Asperger's in a
creative way that is fun and entertaining to children. It focuses on solely one disability but
addresses it very well.
The story:
is interesting to children.
offers children a variety of things to think about, question, or consider.
is age-appropriate and children can understand what is represented.
includes a rich, thick plot.
includes a problem and resolution
utilizes style and language that are appropriate for the childrens ages and interests.
includes realistic, convincing characters.
The illustrations:
Cultural considerations:
Book 3: Russells World: A Story for Kids About Autism by Charles A Amenta
Evaluation Notes: This books features a real life family with real photographs to match. It is a
reliable source of information on this disability as the parents of main character Russell, a boy
with autism, who have first-hand experience are the authors of this book. It develops a positive
light on children with autism as well as teaches students to be inclusive and not afraid of actions
from children with autism.
The story:
is interesting to children.
offers children a variety of things to think about, question, or consider.
is age-appropriate and children can understand what is represented.
includes a rich, thick plot.
includes a problem and resolution
utilizes style and language that are appropriate for the childrens ages and interests.
includes realistic, convincing characters.
The illustrations:
Cultural considerations:
Book 4: My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete
Evaluation Notes: The characters in this book are assumed to be those of an African American
family which initially exposes children to diversity and different cultural groups. The sister in the
story does reflect on many of the negative characteristics of her brother who has autism which at
first gives a bit of a negative portrayal to autism. However, in the end of the story she explains
all the good things she loves about her brother with autism.
The story:
is interesting to children.
offers children a variety of things to think about, question, or consider.
is age-appropriate and children can understand what is represented.
includes a rich, thick plot.
includes a problem and resolution
utilizes style and language that are appropriate for the childrens ages and interests.
includes realistic, convincing characters.
The illustrations:
Cultural considerations:
Characters represent a variety of cultural groups.
Children are exposed to multiple perspectives and values.
There are no negative stereotypes of the represented groups.
The lifestyles of the characters are genuine and complex not oversimplified or generalized.
The characters use speech that accurately represents their culture and oral traditions
The author and/or illustrator are a part of the group represented.
Good characters reflect a variety of backgrounds.
There is diversity represented within cultural groups.
Caitlin Boerner
Multicultural Text Set
ELED 372
Evaluation Notes: Both of the characters in this book are Caucasian which does not provide
much diversity. Some of the ideas in this book could be confusing to young students because
they are not explained well enough such as when Toby says him and Clemmie traveled to the
moon in her chair (it was never noted that this was pretend). It does however include a child who
is physically disabled as one of the main characters.
The story:
is interesting to children.
offers children a variety of things to think about, question, or consider.
is age-appropriate and children can understand what is represented.
includes a rich, thick plot.
includes a problem and resolution.
utilizes style and language that are appropriate for the childrens ages and interests.
includes realistic, convincing characters.
The illustrations:
Cultural considerations:
Book 6: The Alphabet War: A Story About Dyslexia by Diane Burton Robb
Evaluation Notes: This book promotes a positive self-image for people with disabilities. It
features a child with dyslexia and the many characteristics that are common of the learning
disability. At the end of the book the main character overcomes his struggles with dyslexia and
he notices he can do anything if he puts his mind to it.
The story:
is interesting to children.
offers children a variety of things to think about, question, or consider.
is age-appropriate and children can understand what is represented.
includes a rich, thick plot.
includes a problem and resolution.
utilizes style and language that are appropriate for the childrens ages and interests.
includes realistic, convincing characters.
The illustrations:
Cultural considerations:
Evaluation Notes: This book is set in the perspective of Perry the seeing eye dog who leads his
blind owner Sarah. This could be confusing to children as it makes the dog seem almost too
human like. The characters in this story go on a true and inspirational journey which shows that
even those who may be blind are as capable as any other person.
The story:
is interesting to children.
offers children a variety of things to think about, question, or consider.
is age-appropriate and children can understand what is represented.
includes a rich, thick plot.
includes a problem and resolution.
utilizes style and language that are appropriate for the childrens ages and interests.
includes realistic, convincing characters.
The illustrations:
Cultural considerations:
Evaluation Notes: This book creates a positive self- image for those who are blind and
informative to those who are not blind. Carolyn, the main character who happens to be blind, is
portrayed as a three dimensional person who is capable of having a personality and lifestyle.
The story:
is interesting to children.
offers children a variety of things to think about, question, or consider.
is age-appropriate and children can understand what is represented.
includes a rich, thick plot.
includes a problem and resolution.
utilizes style and language that are appropriate for the childrens ages and interests.
includes realistic, convincing characters.
The illustrations:
Cultural considerations:
Evaluation Notes: This book includes children and characters of all different cultural groups,
personalities, interests and abilities. It includes a section about those friends who are disabled
referring to them as challenged in movement or speech. This description of those who are
disabled does stay away from loaded words that convey negative messages however it only
refers to physical disabilities and speech impairments leaving out vision impairments, learning
disabilities and many other disabilities.
The story:
is interesting to children.
offers children a variety of things to think about, question, or consider.
is age-appropriate and children can understand what is represented.
includes a rich, thick plot.
includes a problem and resolution.
utilizes style and language that are appropriate for the childrens ages and interests.
includes realistic, convincing characters.
The illustrations:
Cultural considerations:
Evaluation Notes: This book promotes acceptance of every type of person, culture, and abilities.
The illustrations and descriptions call to attention those topics that are difficult to approach such
as disabilities, race, same-sex families, stepfamilies, and adoption.
The story:
is interesting to children.
offers children a variety of things to think about, question, or consider.
is age-appropriate and children can understand what is represented.
includes a rich, thick plot.
includes a problem and resolution.
utilizes style and language that are appropriate for the childrens ages and interests.
includes realistic, convincing characters.
The illustrations:
Cultural considerations: