Celebrating World Book Day
Today is World Book Day, a day to celebrate reading for fun.
We love books at SNAPS. Reading can be such a fun and rewarding experience for all children, no matter their age or ability. It offers countless benefits for development and wellbeing – fostering speech and language development, enhancing creativity and imagination, promoting empathy, and helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
At SNAPS, we see storytelling as a powerful way to bring families together, creating connections that go beyond the page. We especially love to see books where children with additional needs are represented in a positive way. It can really help to nurture self-esteem and confidence when children are able to identify with the characters,
Here are just some of our favourite children’s books featuring characters with additional needs or storylines about diversity and inclusion. Many of these have been written by people with additional needs or parents and carers with first-hand experience.
Picture books
See What I Can Do by Jon Roberts
This book tells the stories of children with a variety of additional needs, inspired by the real-life experiences of the author’s daughter, who is autistic.
No Horn Unicorn by Shani Dhanda
There’s something different about Ugo the unicorn… a heartwarming story that celebrates difference.
When I See Blue by Lily Bailey
A touching and honest book about life with OCD, and the power of friendship.
You’re so Amazing! by James and Lucy Catchpole
About a child with a limb difference who is tired of being told how amazing he is for doing normal things.
Dexter! The Amazing School Dog! by Lucy Plunkett and Sian Bowman
Introduces readers to neurodiversity through the lovable school dog, Dexter.
This is Me! by George Webster
A heartfelt and positive picture book from one of our favourite CBeebies stars.
Talking is not My Thing: Rose Robbins
A celebration of diversity and neurodiversity, this is a rare example of a story that recognises non-verbal communication.
My Brother Otto by Elisa Pallmer
An engaging picture book that shows everyday life with little crow siblings when one of them is on the autism spectrum.
Loud! by Rose Robbins
An adorable picture book about a little girl who finds that she can express herself through singing.
Chapter books for older readers
Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend by Lizzie Huxley-Jones
An action-packed, epic adventure featuring an autistic heroine.
The Stickleback Catchers by Lisette Auton
A magical adventure of family and friendship with inclusive portrayal of disability and illness. We especially like the positive description of the main character’s mobility aids.
The Amazing Edie Eckhart by Rosie Jones
Inspired by comedian Rosie Jones’ own experiences of navigating school with cerebral palsy.
Wilder than Midnight by Cerrie Burnell
A magical, fairy tale inspired story that celebrates individuality and difference.
Further reading
- The Book Trust is a great resource for finding books and has lots more recommendations of inclusive books and books with positive images of disability.
- Scope also has some useful lists, including recommended books for siblings of children with additional needs.
- CustomEyes Books produces custom large print children’s books for children with visual impairments, also beneficial for those with dyslexia. You can choose the page colour, spacing, font size and more.