BOOK MARKED
Appreciate Others
for Who They Are
Discover books that invite readers
to learn about neurodiversity
BY DC PUBLIC LIBRARY STAFF
Foster conversations about disability
representation with stories about authenticity
and individuality
for younger children and the importance of
community in helping to solve them. The
authors also include talking points at the end
for further discussion about disability issues.

“It Was Supposed to Be Sunny”
Readers will also enjoy “My Three Best
by Samantha Cotterill
Friends and Me, Zulay” by Cari Best, pictures
Part of the “Little Senses” series, focus-
by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, and “Just Ask!:
ing on children with autism and sensory
Be Different, Be Brave, Be You” by Sonia
processing disorders, birthday girl Laila
Sotomayor, illustrated by Rafael López.

learns to regroup and save her party from
disaster with the help of her service dog
Charlie and coping tools from her mom. “The Girl Who Thought in Pictures:
The illustrations are bright and color- The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin”
ful, and the story is great for any child who by Julia Finley Mosca, illustrated by
feels overwhelmed by social situations and Daniel Rieley
It’s rare that a biography can be so enjoyable
the unexpected.

Readers will also enjoy “Benji, The Bad to read aloud, but this one about renowned
Day, and Me,” by Sally J. Pla and illustrated animal scientist and autism spokesperson
by Ken Min, and “My Brother Charlie” by Dr. Temple Grandin makes it seamless with
Denene Millner, Holly Robinson Peete and easy rhyming verse.

You’ll appreciate this wonderful story to
Ryan Elizabeth Peete.

share with any child who has a passion for
animals. The story touches on the barriers
“We Move Together”
she faced in finding her voice as a child, how
by Kelly Fritsch and Anne McGuire,
her visual memory is such an asset to her
illustrated by Eduardo Trejos
A fun book to read aloud or one on one, work as a scientist and fun illustrations of
“We Move Together” depicts children with her inventions.

Readers will also enjoy “All the Way to the
a range of abilities exploring their world
and addressing issues like accessibility and Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans
problem solving. This work is a wonderful, with Disabilities Changed Everything” by
simple introduction to accessibility issues Annette Bay Pimental, illustrated by Nabi Ali.

32 Washington FAMILY JULY 2022
MARCOS ELIHU CASTILLO RAMIREZ/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
BOOKS FOR YOUNGER
CHILDREN



BOOK MARKED
BOOKS FOR OLDER CHILDREN
ND3000/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
“I Am Not a Label: 34 Disabled Artists, Thinkers,
Athletes and Activists from Past and Present”
by Cerrie Burnell, illustrated by Lauren Mark Baldo
Prominent people with disabilities are celebrated in this brightly
illustrated collection, from mountain climbers and YouTubers
to painters and more. The spectrum of disability is shown well
throughout, including sections on invisible disabilities as important
parts of disability representation.

“Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward,
True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped
Spark a Revolution”
by Judith Heumann and Kristen Joiner
Judith (Judy) Heumann’s journey to become a modern disability
rights activist began when she was denied access to attend kindergar-
ten due to her disability. Her fight for equal education led to becoming
a teacher and leader in the push for disability rights protections under
U.S. law. She quite literally helped change the world for people with
disabilities, and her part in disability history was also celebrated in the
2020 Oscar-nominated documentary “Crip Camp: A Disability Revo-
lution.” “Rolling Warrior” is a great story for young activists on how
one person’s fight for access to education can transform into the fight
for millions. n
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