Stories for All

Exploring the importance of representation and inclusivity in literature

The benefits of reading for children and young people are numerous and far reaching. Introducing children to stories and books from infancy can not only begin a love for stories, but it also forms a great foundation for an interest in reading in later life, and has been shown to improve literacy levels as a child grows. Books are powerful tools that can transport young minds into magical worlds, they can make them laugh, make them cry, teach them about kindness and friendship, loss and grief, and help them escape when their own world overwhelms them. Books and stories can be an important guide for young minds, teaching them about life, moulding their perspective on the world and helping them to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. Part of this literary power is through seeing yourself represented in a story, being able to relate to a character in a book or story can have a huge impact on a child. It is therefore very important to ensure that children are exposed to literature that reflects their own world as well as the wider world around them. The representation of disabled children and young people in books is not high, but it is something that we can see being addressed over the last few years. More books are being published that include disabled characters and that celebrate difference and inclusivity. Every child should be able to see themselves represented on the pages of a book, so we have coined a list of some of the best books for children and young people that focus on celebrating disability and difference. LEO AND THE LIGHTNING DRAGONS

Author Gill White has written this book for her son who lives with a rare form of epilepsy known as Ohtahara syndrome. Leo is a brave knight fighting fearsome dragons both inside and out and the story shows him realising that the most important thing is to persevere and believe in himself. The story has been really well received by parents of children with complex needs and healthcare professionals alike, and all royalties from the book sales go to Children’s Hospices across Scotland (CHAS).

Written and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, this beautiful story is must-read for young children. It follows the story of one dog who stands out from all the rest and who leaves her town to find where she belongs, only to discover that she belonged in her home town all along. It is a story that celebrates difference and diversity in a simple and beautiful way, showing young children that they can be who they are confidently. JUST ASK!

This book is written by United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor who draws on her experiences of being diagnosed with diabetes as a child. The book has children building a community garden together and sparks conversations between children about different challenges and abilities they have. It shows that just as you need different plants and flowers in a garden, you need different people in the world to make a special place to live. It encourages children to not be afraid to “just ask”. WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?

Joe is a young amputee who is doing what all kids do at a young age: playing in the park, fighting off fearsome sharks and terrifying sea creatures. However, he is also constantly aware that when he meets kids in the park he will have to answer the age old question “what happened to you?”, because everyone can see that he only has one leg. This question is often preceded with “Was it a shark?”, “Was it a lion?”, “Did it fall off?”. The story is designed to show young readers that kids, regardless of their abilities, just want to be accepted and join in with others to play. FISH IN A TREE

This acclaimed book is written for older children and addresses the subject of dyslexia in an uplifting and relatable story. The main character is a young girl who acts out a lot in class to cover up the fact that she finds reading and writing really difficult. One teacher recognises the bright, creative child who is hiding behind her actions, and teaches her that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of, and supports her to realise all of the opportunities around her.

THE GIRL WHO THOUGHT IN PICTURES

This is the story of Dr Temple Grandin, an American scientist who lived with autism and made groundbreaking improvements for farms around the world. This book teaches the story of this determined visual thinker and how she used her unique mind to connect with animals, and become one of the most powerful voices in modern science.

SONG FOR A WHALE

This touching story is focused on the main character Iris who is D/deaf. During a science lesson about sound waves she finds out about a whale who cannot communicate with other whales. The familiarity of this scenario sparks something in Iris, and subsequently sees her journeying around the world to find this whale and break through the isolation that they have both been feeling. A beautiful story for any child who is living with hearing loss.

CAN YOU SEE ME?

This book is a collaboration between 11-year-old Libby Scott who lives with autism, and esteemed author Rebecca Westcott. It includes diary entries written by Libby, sharing her experiences as a young girl living with autism. It has been praised for its honest and realistic portrayal of autism and gives readers a deeper understanding of what it is like to live with autism. It is the first book in a series of three, that help tell the powerful story of autism, empathy and kindness.