You want to work on the concept of difference with children or teenagers? You could look for a book to raise awareness of disabilities. Children’s literature offers a lot of books on a wide variety of subjects: invisible disability, sign language, intellectual deficiency, or motor troubles, etc. In this article, PlayMoovin’ made a selection of books for every age group.
Books on disabilities for preschoolers
Are you looking for books about disabilities for very young children? Here are 3 works you can recommend to preschoolers with your eyes closed.
Un petit frère pas comme les autres
Un petit frère pas comme les autres is a book written by Marie Flusin and Marie-Hélène Delval and it was written to raise awareness of disabilities and is perfect to talk about this subject with very young children. It tells the story of Lili-Lapin who worries a lot for her little brother who is suffering from down syndrome. Even as he gets older, he seems to keep the attitude of a baby. He struggles to speak, he remains clumsy and does not progress at all. With patience and determination, the little bunny will learn to take care of her brother in their daily life.
Elmer the Patchwork Elephant
Elmer the Patchwork Elephant is a book written by David McKee which is excellent to initiate preschoolers to disabilities starting from preschool. Reading this colourful book is truly a great moment, it talks about the difficulties encountered by a person who is different in a simple yet poetic way.
La petite casserole d’Anatole
Anatole is a character who is different. He struggles to move because he has to carry a frying pan around. He will go through hardships, trying to hide the frying pan because other people make fun of him. Fortunately, he will receive the help of an adult who also carries a casserole, and he will manage to accept his difference and live with it.
This book is full of hope and perfectly illustrates the role of supporting people, whether they are nurses, parents, or friends.
Awareness books for children in primary school
What about children in primary school? The field of children’s publishing is full of gems that are adapted to children aged 5 to 8. PlayMoovin’ presents here two unmissable books about disabilities.
A book adapted for children aged 5 and more
Alis et la classe Ulis is a book published by the Évidence publishing house is a book which raises awareness of disabilities and stages a class of ULIS students (Localised units for school inclusion, those are special classes which gather students suffering from disabilities so that they can have arrangements to help them study). This novel based on difference can be read one of two ways. The left page is written with big letters and is adapted to a child who is learning how to read whereas the right page is destined to adults. Why not use this book to talk about disabilities during the World Autism Awareness Day?
Pibi, mon étrange ami
In this Korean book, the Korean writer Jin-Heon Song reveals his account on disabilities. He talks about his relationship with Pibi, a friend of his diagnosed with autism. The illustrations made with a black crayon represent the concept of difference with subtlety and delicacy. This book is an easy recommendation for anyone!
Disability awareness books for middle schoolers
Discover 4 books on disability awareness which are perfectly adapted to middle schoolers.
Nos coeurs tordus: a book about disabilities from people aged 10 and more
Here is a children’s book centred on disabilities, love, and friendship. Vladimir is a teenager in a wheelchair and he falls in love with Lou. He will try to seduce her by any means. This book is bearer of hope and is an ideal support to talk about disabilities during a day dedicated to awareness activities.
La jeune fille qui parlait aux singes for children aged 9 to 12
This novel written by Benoît Grelaud stages Louise, a 15-year-old girl who has been suffering from deafness since she was born. She is often anxious and she severely lacks self-confidence. However, she will meet Jérome and this encounter will turn her life around.
Indeed, Jérome works with his father in a refuge which shelters endangered monkeys. Thanks to him, Louise meets Kiko who is a female gorilla rejected by her clan. Meeting Kiko will change Louise’s life.
This contemporary children’s novel is perfect to discuss about harassment, disabilities and the way people look at us. It brings children in an animal world full of adventures where difference becomes a strength.
Un violon dans les jambes
Here is a book in which Hervé Mestron presents a true hymn to life. It tells the story a young boy named Bastien who was hit by a car when he was 11 and now suffers from a motor disability. But despite his motor disability, he provides a beautiful lesson on perseverance. This book is an experience full of emotions and of courage and is a must-read.
Le vieux monde est derrière toi
This story about disabilities is taking place in France during the troubled times of May 1968. Joël is blind from birth and meets Madeleine, a young woman who has a brother who is also suffering from a visual deficiency. A enriching reading which follows a 13-year-old protagonist as he meets endearing characters who help each other to keep moving.
You now have an overview of what books on disability awareness are and how they can be adapted to multiple age groups. Do you need other resources to carry out an awareness project in a school, in a middle school or in an activity centre? Gather ideas with our selection of articles talking about it!
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