10 Must-Read Kids' Books for Neurodiversity Celebration Month
- Lindsey Hinebaugh
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
🎉 April is Neurodiversity Celebration Month! This collection of books celebrates neurodiverse characters and the many different ways that they think, learn, and behave. We celebrate and embrace all our differences as strengths because they make our world more beautiful.
Next Level: A Hymn in Gratitude for Neurodiversity
Author: Samara Cole Doyon | Illustrator: Kaylani Juanita | Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers
Told from the loving perspective of a mother of a child with autism, Next Level shows the full humanity of people who move through the world and communicate in their own unique, complete, and powerful way. Doyon's powerful love letter to her son invites us to "level up" and see our shared humanity in new and limitless dimensions.
Can I Play Too?
Author/Illustrator: Samantha Cotterill | Publisher: Dial Books
Two boys' fun train-track-building project takes a turn when one of the boys obliviously insists on only doing things his way. Their disagreement spells disaster for the train and the friendship, until a kind teacher steps in and explains how to tell when a friend is feeling happy, frustrated, or angry. . . and how to ask for a do-over.
Compromising and paying attention to how other people are feeling can be hard for any kid, but especially for kids on the autism spectrum. Samatha Cotterill's third book in the Little Senses series provides gentle guidance along with adorable illustrations to help every kid navigate the twists and turns of friendship and working together.
Flap Your Hands: A Celebration of Stimming
Author/Illustrator: Steve Asbell | Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers
When you're feeling overwhelmed
And the world's too much to bear...
If your feelings bubble over
But they have no place to go...
Maybe it would help to move!
Want to try a stim?
When four neurodivergent kids face some stressful moments, they use body movements called stims to self-regulate their emotions. One boy tickles the space next to his face; a girl flutters her fingers by her ears; another boy kicks his feet like splashy flippers; another girl directs her hands like a conductor! As the children say fun words, flap their hands, and engage in other stims, their actions build in energy and joyousness until their inner calm is restored.
Delightful text and color-drenched illustrations by debut author-illustrator Steve Asbell invites other neurodivergent readers to join in on the action. Flap Your Hands is a wonderful celebration and reminder that stimming is a natural and healthy thing to do!
A Day with No Words
Author: Tiffany Hammond | Illustrator: Kate Cosgrove | Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers
Aidan doesn't talk with words. He uses a tablet, tapping buttons with pictures to show what he means.
When Mama taps “Park . . . now?” Aidan quickly taps back “Yes.” And after Aidan twirls and twirls in the grass until he can no longer stand, he taps, “All done.”
Not everyone understands their family's unique way of communicating, though. Some think that because Aidan doesn't say words, he doesn't know words. But verbal speech isn't the only way we can connect with others. We can use tablets and letter boards, facial expressions, hand gestures, and written words.
With tenderness and heart, A Day with No Words illuminates the many unique ways people can understand each other, even if they don't speak.
Wiggles, Stomps and Squeezes Calm My Jitters Down
Author: Lindsey Rowe Parker | Illustrator: Rebecca Burgess | Publisher: BQB Publishing
This is a story about sensory differences and how some children experience their world, told from a child's perspective. The vibration in her feet when she runs, the tap-tap-tap of her fork on the table at mealtime, the trickle of cool water running over her hands—these are the things that calm her jitters down. This book is for anyone who has ever felt the need for a wiggle, stomp, or squeeze!
My Rainbow
Author: Trinity and DeShanna Neal | Illustrator: Art Twink | Publisher: Kokila
Warm morning sunlight and love fill the Neal home. And on one quiet day, playtime leads to an important realization: Trinity wants long hair like her dolls. She needs it to express who she truly is.
So her family decides to take a trip to the beauty supply store, but none of the wigs is the perfect fit. Determined, Mom leaves with bundles of hair in hand, ready to craft a wig as colorful and vibrant as her daughter is.
With powerful text by Trinity and DeShanna Neal and radiant art by Art Twink, My Rainbow is a celebration of showing up as our full selves with the people who have seen us fully all along.
Too Much! An Overwhelming Day
Author: Jolene Gutierrez | Illustrator: Angel Chang | Publisher: Harry H. Abrams
Sometimes everything is too much! Too loud, too bright, and all too overwhelming.
Writing from her own experience with sensory processing disorder, award-winning teacher-librarian Jolene Gutiérrez’s compassionate picture book explores the struggles of a sensorily sensitive child and how they settle themselves.
Joined by Angel Chang’s beautiful color illustrations, young readers will learn that it’s OK if some days are too much.
An extensive author’s note to caregivers and educators explores sensory systems, sensory processing issues, and specific information about how to support kids with overstimulated nervous systems as they learn to soothe themselves.
When feelings go on overload,
I pause and breathe
and all is . . . slowed.
My Brain is Magic: A Sensory-Seeking Celebration
Author: Prasha Sooful | Illustrator: Geeta Ladi | Publisher: Soaring Kite Books
Is your brain magic? Whether your brain buzzes around the room like a bee or tells you to be loud and roar like a lion, celebrate the many things that it can be!
This sensory-seeking celebration shines a light on neurodiversity and sensory processing in a fun and action-packed way for all children to enjoy.
Brilliant Bea
Author: Shaina Rudolph and Mary Vukadinovich| Illustrator: Fiona Lee | Publisher: Magination Press
Brilliant Bea is an endearing and empowering story that demonstrates that a learning difference like dyslexia doesn’t define who you are.
Despite her struggles with reading and writing, Beatrice is a natural and brilliant storyteller. With the help of a kind-hearted teacher, Beatrice uses an old-fashioned tape recorder so she can speak her words and then play them back, as a technique for learning in a whole new way. With her new approach, Beatrice is able to show her classmates who she really has been all along.
This book is set in EasyReading, a dyslexia-friendly font.
This Beach is Loud!
Author/Illustrator: Samantha Cotterill | Publisher: Dial Books
Going to the beach is exciting. But it can also be busy. And loud. Sand can feel hot or itchy or sticky...and it gets everywhere! In This Beach Is Loud!, a sensitive boy gets overwhelmed by all the sights, sounds, and sensations at the beach. Luckily, this kiddo's dad has a trick up his sleeve to help his son face these unexpected obstacles.
Combining accessible storytelling and playful design, This Beach Is Loud! gently offers practical advice for coping with new experiences to children on the autism spectrum and/or with sensory sensitivities.
