Which books for our children?
WhichHow can we help our little ones understand difference? How can we talk to them about disability?
For our part, from the age of 2–3, we started talking about difference. Everyone is different, and that’s normal. In our case, it’s the legs that are a bit naughty…
Then, little by little, around 4–5, the word “disability” came into our conversations.
The selection of books and animations below is what we used as support. It also includes a few books to reassure children before medical tests at hospital or an operation. Most of these books are in French.
References that will stay in our hearts for a long time!
Difference & motor disability
Tous différents (All different).
There are those who like meeting people, those who don’t like sharing, those who like bossing others around… And yet, if you look closer, we are all the same!
From age 3
Alice sourit (Alice smiles).
You would never guess for a second that this little girl cannot walk. Alice smiles, laughs, gets punished, plays jokes, swims. Alice is happy and mischievous. We only discover Alice in her wheelchair on the last page. A very simple book to learn to see beyond differences.
From age 4.
Le papillon à roulettes (The butterfly on wheels).
A little butterfly who could not fly… A lovely, well-illustrated tale to talk about disability and difference.
From age 5
Ma sœur Audrey (My sister Audrey).
Au cœur des différences is a series of colourful picture books featuring endearing characters living with a difference: allergy, illness, syndrome, disability… This one is about cerebral palsy and siblings.
From age 6.
Qu’est-ce que tu dis Coralie ? (What are you saying, Coralie?)
Coralie has trouble pronouncing certain sounds. That’s why she sees a speech therapist. She has to repeat difficult words, and with the help of a parrot she finds a way to overcome her difficulties! A picture book to help children with speech disorders.
From age 5.
Le lapin de neige (The Snow Rabbit)
A little girl in a wheelchair watches through the window as her sister builds a snow rabbit. It comes to life and takes the two sisters into the forest. A poetic, wordless book that blends the real and the imaginary.
From age 5.Choir
In this choir, everyone sings with their two little round antennae. But one of the little creatures, with its three antennae, cannot sing like the others. This adorable animation is about difference and, above all, about accepting it!
From age 3.
Tous pareils (All the same).
In life, you can be adopted, have big ears, be tall or small, wear glasses; you can be different, and that’s what makes us tolerant. A simple book to start conversations about difference.
from age 3
La petite casserole d’Anatole (Anatole’s Little Saucepan).
Little Anatole drags a saucepan behind him that doesn’t always make life easy. A beautiful, subtle and tender picture book about difference. A must-read!
From age 4
Le handicap (Disability).
The different types of disability explained clearly and simply. We meet people walking with crutches, using a wheelchair, blind, deaf and mute, with Down syndrome… as well as people who need care from specialists (speech therapist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist). A good read
from age 4
L’accident de Marika (Marika’s accident).
Marika had an accident that left her paraplegic. Now in a wheelchair, she dreads going back to school. Alexis, her brother, must also adapt to the changes the accident has brought to family life and to his relationship with his sister.
From age 6.
Elisabeth a peur de l’échec (Elisabeth is afraid of failure).
A book to understand that mistakes and failures are sometimes necessary, and that overcoming them is what real success is about. For children who give up quickly…
From age 6.Les rayures du zèbre (The zebra’s stripes)
After crashing into a tree, a zebra loses his stripes. He tries (in vain) to get them back before realising that it is a strength. This animated film takes a humorous look at difference and how others see us.
From age 3.Milo – Pierre roule en fauteuil (Pierre uses a wheelchair)
Milo is a little rabbit aged 5–6 whose adventures follow his everyday life, his games, his loved ones, his first experiences, his dreams… and sometimes his little fears. In this episode, he meets Pierre and they become friends, looking beyond the wheelchair…
From age 4.Operations and hospital
Toudou est courageux (Toudou is brave)
This book was created by EnoRev’ to prepare little ones with cerebral palsy for an operation called SDR (Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy). A story children identify with immediately. To read again and again before the operation! Self-published (print on demand); the association only receives €1 for each book sold.
From age 3.
Sir Dr. Park and the Dragon, Spasticity.
The story of a boy who was attacked at birth by the terrible dragon Spasticity, and of the amazing doctor who fights the dragon with his scalpel-sword. A book (in English) to prepare for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR). For children who don’t worry easily.
From age 5.
Bienvenue à l’hôpital des enfants (Welcome to the children’s hospital).
A clever guidebook narrated by a syringe who is unhappy at the thought of frightening young patients… The book was written by two orthopaedic surgeons. A great initiative!
From age 5.