Hi there my kid-lit friends! July is Disability Pride Month, and I’ve already seen three disability roundups with problematic, cringey books on them. Sigh. If you’re looking to read more books with disability representation, I highly recommend reading books by disabled authors and seeking out lists and reviews by disabled reviewers, like me! With that in mind, I recommend four books below, and here’s a list of 20 picture books with disabled characters I made for the nonprofit Madison Reading Project. I’ll share some more of my disability posts throughout this month! I’ve also written lots for Book Riot if you want to dig through my previous posts.
On another note, Book Riot is hiring an Editorial Operations Associate! In this position, you’ll work with the Ed Ops team to support Editorial and the Book Riot writers. Book Riot is committed to building an inclusive workforce and strongly encourages applications from women, individuals with disabilities, and people of color. Applications are due by August 8th. Apply here.
Bookish Goods
Disability Inclusion Poster by PollyjollyCreations
Add this disability-themed print to your child’s reading nook. $3
New Releases
Sometimes Love by Katrina Moore, illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz
I am an army brat, and while I have a lot of mixed feelings about how the military is used now, I still have a soft spot for books with military parents. In this super sweet picture book, a military family has a big move ahead and, unfortunately, cannot bring their new puppy with them. The little girl loves her pup, but they manage to find the dog a good home before leaving. Don’t worry, this picture book has a happy ending!
Leila, the Perfect Witch by Flavia Z. Drago
While witchy reads tend to be relegated to Halloween, I’m the kind of reader that reads witch all year long, and I adore Leila and her family. Leila has always excelled at all things witch until it comes to winning the Magnificent Witchy Cake-off. No matter how hard she tries, she just can’t bewitch an enchanting dessert into creation! However, with the help of her three sisters, she makes something she can be proud of, and realizes that winning isn’t everything.
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
For my first Disability Pride Month roundup, I thought I’d recommend 4 books that center disabled joy! There’s not enough disabled joy in children’s books, so it’s always an absolute delight when I find it. All of these are written by disabled authors.
We Move Together by Kelly Fritsch and Anne McGuire, illustrated by Eduardo Trejos
This joyful picture book celebrates disabled bodies as they move through a variety of spaces. The vibrant illustrations are accompanied by lyrical, simple prose that shows all types of disabled bodies moving fast, slow, waiting in line, playing, and marching for disability justice. It’s a powerful, lovely read and a call to action for more accessible spaces.
Sam’s Super Seats by Keah Brown, illustrated by Sharee Miller (August 23)
This picture book doesn’t release until August 23rd, but it’s definitely worth pre-ordering! Written by #DisabledAndCute founder Keah Brown, it tells the story of a little girl with cerebral palsy finding the perfect back-to-school outfit, and finding the perfect place to rest. When I interviewed Keah Brown for a piece I’m writing for School Library Journal, she told me how her impetus for writing this was the lack of disabled Black joy in her childhood reading (and not much has changed since).
Can I Play Too? by Samantha Cotterill
All four books in Samantha Cotterill’s Little Senses series center a joyful experience for a child on the autism spectrum. In this one, two children play trains together, but when one child has trouble relegating and reading emotions, it could ruin playtime. With a bit of coaching from his mom, what could’ve been a disaster turns into lots of fun.
The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz
I’m a musical fiend and I cannot say enough good things about this delightful middle grade by disabled Broadway star Ali Stroker! 14-year-old Nat Beacon has moved, and while her dad wants her to join the wheelchair racing team, Nat wants to do something of her own, like theater. When she tries out for Wicked, she lands a part, but a fire might shut down the play. Stroker also has a new picture book that recently released, Ali and the Sea of Stars, which also centers disabled joy.
A friend of mine recently gave us a scooter her child had outgrown, and instead of riding it like a normal child, my daughter named it Zoomo and pretends it’s a kid like her. Here Zoomo is going potty before a trip to the park. Zoomo also likes eating leaves and going shopping at toy stores.
If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, Twitter @AReaderlyMom, and blog irregularly at Baby Librarians. You can also read my Book Riot posts. If you’d like to drop me a line, my email is kingsbury.margaret@gmail.com.
Until next Tuesday!
Margaret Kingsbury