Guides to Children's Literature about Disabilities

Here is a list of resource guides, thanks to the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities, that can help you identify children's books about disabilities that were published before 1989. These guides may be available in your public library reference or children's section. Ask your librarian for assistance in locating:

Azarnoff, P. (1983). Health, illness, and disability: A guide to books for children and young adults. New York: R.R. Bowker.

Baskin, B.H., & Harris, K.H. (1986). More notes from a different drummer: A guide to juvenile fiction portraying the disabled. New York: R.R. Bowker.

Corlin, M., Laughlin, J., & Saniga, R. (1991). Understanding abilities, disabilities, and capabilities: A guide to children's literature. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited.

Dreyer, S.S. (1989). The bookfinder 4: When kids need books: Annotations of books published 1983 through 1986. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service. (This book is organized by topic, many of which are disability-related, such as "allergies," "asthma," "ADD," and so on.)

Dreyer, S.S. (1994). The bookfinder 5: When kids need books: Annotations of books published 1987 through 1990. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

Friedman, J.B., Mullins, J.B., & Sukiennik, A.W. (1985). Accept me as I am: Best books of juvenile nonfiction on impairment and disabilities. New York: R.R. Bowker.

Gillespie, J.T., & Gilbert, C.B. (1994). Best books for children: Preschool through the middle grades (5th ed.). New York: R.R. Bowker. (This book includes several listings under the categories of "Diseases and Other illnesses" and "Physical and Mental Disabilities.")

Hecker, H. (1994). Children's disability bookstore catalog. Vancouver, WA: Twin Peaks Press.

Quicke, J. (1985). Disability in modern children's fiction. Cambridge, MA: Brookline Books.

Sutherland, Z., Hearne, B., & Sutton, R. (1991). The best in children's books: The University of Chicago guide to children's literature 1985-1990. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. (This book has listings under "Learning Disabilities" and under "Physical Disabilities. "

E-mail Maribeth with questions, comments, suggestions, or for more information.