Look! It's me!
Children’s picture books on diversity and inclusion, reviewed by young people with disability
Star ratings
Can’t wait to reread! Can’t stop thinking about the pictures, words, characters! No book is entirely perfect, but this book has us happy, excited and wanting children to read it.
We enjoyed this book from beginning to end – a truly great read. We like the story, the characters, the messages and the illustrations. Truly superb – but perhaps just missing something to be perfect.
We feel neutral about this book – maybe a little underwhelmed. We liked the book, but we’re still not sure about a few parts.
We probably won’t recommend this book. This book wasn’t complete nonsense. It definitely wasn’t good but wasn’t completely bad. We liked the story or the illustrations, but felt overall that the book lacked purpose.
This book kind of seemed ableist or gives the wrong impression of children with disability. It might lack story, contain boring characters, or maybe it is packed with misinformation.
Just like you, only a little more different
"[T]his book would help little kids and kids with disabilities know that it’s okay to be different."
Come Over to My House
"I thought it was a great look into how different people and different families function, normalising disability and access needs."
Our Class Is a Family
"[R]hyming couplets and well-illustrated drawings that are funny and engaging for younger children."
Change Sings: A Children's Anthem
"[I]t appears the illustrator has not considered the practicalities that come with using a wheelchair."
We Move Together
"Equality! The colourful illustrations showed a good understanding of equality - People with and without disability, different genders and various skin colours."
You are Enough
"I loved this book so much, the colours, the illustrations, the way there was representation of so many different disabilities, body types, skin tones and ethnicities etc"
Six Dots
"Liked the history, the illustrations and symbolism. I felt more educated and interested in Braille and its usages for the blind community."
The Magical Yet
"This book beautifully dispels the myth that to achieve success, you need to have naturally born talent."
Awesomely Emma
"A great introduction to ideas of the social model of disability, wherein disability is a natural part of human diversity."
All bodies are good bodies
"I like that it included kids that didn’t have arms or had prosthetics."
Included
"From this book, children can begin to form an understanding that disabled children, disabled people, have value in our community."
Just Ask!
"I liked that the author talked about multiple disabilities without degrading them."
Next Door's Dog Goes to School
"My favourite part [is] learning and understanding how everyone is different and needs help in various ways."
Pig's Big Feelings
"I really like how it spells out emotions and how it increases vocabulary with a whole emotion index at the back describing how it feels in an easy-to-understand way."
The Adventures of Pistachio Mustachio
"Reading this book made me smile and filled me with happiness."
The Wild Guide to Starting School
"I liked this book the best because it had lots of funny parts."
ABC of Body Safety and Consent
"YOU'LL WANT TO READ THIS! Learn to look after your body and realise it's okay to say no."
All the Ways to be Smart
"The book's message, that there is no one right way to be smart, is beautifully conveyed."
Forever Friends
"The book's message is about antibullying, learning to love your differences as that makes you unique, and accepting other people as they are."
I Am An Aspie Girl
"The page about meltdowns is very disappointing and not an accurate portrayal at all."
Ish
"The book encourages readers to try their best and pursue their passions, emphasising that someone will always appreciate and value their efforts."
It's OK to be Different
"I love all the questions that can stem from this book, but it needs a teacher that know what to say to get them thinking about what questions they can ask."
Stand Tall! A Book about Integrity
"The main character is making a good choice even if she knows no one else will see it."
Starting School
"It ignores how stressful the first day can be and only focuses on the good."
The Girl with Big, Big Questions
"I liked the colours in the illustrations and the story was interesting."
What Happened to You?
"It's a great read beginning to end."
Roxy the Raccoon
"My favourite character is Brad the Beaver ... because he was nice and he was the first friend to include Roxy."
Being Friends with Bodie Finch
"I liked that it showed the perspective of a teacher and classmates learning to understand behaviour that they may initially categorise as ‘strange’ or ‘different’."
DK Braille: Animals
"I liked the fact that the book had braille writing so that even people who are blind can read the book."
Empathy
"The highlight is the discussion questions page at the end that parents can use to maximize this opportunity to talk about how to use their empathy and turn it into action."
When Charley met Emma
"This young family aimed children's book contained effective illustrations, a clear plot, simple characters and a good message, however, it lacked authenticity and a super clear purpose."
Who Am I? I Am Me!
"There was a missed opportunity to include diversity by having children with hearing aides, glasses, visible disabilities such as Downs Syndrome or sensory issues such as wearing ear protection or a hoodie."
AAC Rhymetime
"When I read this book to a small group of 3–4-year-old at a childcare I work at, they were engaged the whole time throughout the book."
You, Me and Empathy
"I like how on almost every page it asks a question about what that page is talking about like playing with friends or bullies asking for the classes input and makes them think about it."
I Talk In Different Ways
"This story brings a negative vibe towards AAC mainly because the way the story is structured and how it's cover lacks interest."
Lilly's Mask
"It was a great way of showing how some young people fly under the radar or ‘don’t seem autistic’, and that it’s not helpful and leads to a lack of understanding around their access needs."
Why Johnny Doesn't Flap, NT is OK!
"One commendable aspect of this book is its potential to serve as a starting point for families to discuss issues related to disability and neurodiversity."
The Prince Who Was Just Himself
"The instant love and acceptance of his family despite his differences was an affirming message."
Aegon
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Aliyah
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Alyssia
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Atticus
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Chloe R
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Chloe S
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Elijah
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Ethan
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Georgia
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Jessica
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Kai
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Lily
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Matilda
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Rahim
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Tessa
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