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It’s important that children’s books show disabled adults managing their lives and doing positive things.
Books including disabled parents are still rare, but here’s a few of the best. They're available through usual booksellers, online stores and other websites if shown.
Please tell us about other books you find useful, or send your own review of any book you've used to help explain disability to children. You can read some reviews here.
Disabled parents in young children’s fiction
 Boots for a Bridesmaid by Verna Allette Wilkins, illustrated by Pamela Venus
Bridesmaid Nicky prepares for the big day with her wheelchair-user Mum. Mixed Asian-white family. Age 4-8, 30pp paperback. Price £4.00
From Spinal Injuries Association
Mama Zooms by Jane Cowen-Fletcher
 A young boy ‘zooms’ with his mother in her wheelchair. Age 3-7, 16pp Paperback. Price £5.50 from Letterbox Library
All Kinds of Babies by Emma Damon
A lift the flap book which features a wheelchair using mother in one of the sections. No text. Age 4+, Hardback 12pp Price £9.99
Letterbox Library
 What's My Family Tree by Mick Manning and Brita Granström
Looking at families includes a wheelchair using parent
6-12 Paperback 32pp Price £5.99
Letterbox Library
 Milly, Molly and Different Dads by Gill Pittar, illustrated by Cris Morrell.
Sophie’s Dad has left home and her friends describe their dads including a guy who is blind, a wheelchair user and others. Age 4-8 Paperback 23pp Price: £4.99
Letterbox Library
Peek-a-Boo by Annie Kubler
A cartoon board book for very young children includes a mum with a hearing aid playing with her toddler, as well as some disabled children with various aids. Price £4.99
Child’s Play International
Touch and Tickle Illustrated by Sanja Rescek. One of a set of 4 Baby Gym board books with rhymes and baby massage includes a parent who is a wheelchair user. Price £3.99
Child’s Play International
My Daddy and Me
Picture book for children up to 5. Dads enjoying different activities with their children, including a Dad who uses a wheelchair. Price £4.00
Kidpremiership Website
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It’s Raining! It’s Pouring! We’re Exploring! By Polly Peters and Jess Stockham
 With a few home made props and a great deal of imagination, the perfect plan is hatched for adventure on a rainy day. Picture book just happens to show Mum’s wheelchair tucked away while she stands at the cooker with her elbow crutches. One of the children uses an inhaler.· Age: 4-7 Price £4.99
Child’s Play International
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Child's Play's Helping Hands series
 illustrated by Georgie Birkett includes
Clean it!telling·about a boy and his sister helping around the home and shows dad using an inhaler.
Grow it!is·down on the allotment alongside a wheelchair using gardener.
In Cook it!a little girl helps to buy and prepare food for dinner passing a guide-dog user in the street on the way to the shops. Age: 2-5 Price £4.99·
Child’s Play International
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Big Day Out is from·the New experiences First Time series illustrated by Jess Stockham·and shows a child and adult signing to each other. This series also has sign cards to help develop communication skills.·Age: 2-5 Price £4.99
Child’s Play International
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·Disabled parents in fiction for older children and young people
There are lots of books with characters who are disabled parents, but very few offer positive role models to young readers. Have you found one?
We’d like suggestions for this section, especially from parents and younger people.
Are there any you’ve enjoyed that seemed useful and accurate in the way disability was shown?
Have you read anything you think is very misleading?
Tell us why, and let’s get talking about them.
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Information books for children and young people about medical conditions or parents who are disabled
Sometimes children need to know about a parent’s illness or what disability is all about.
It can be hard to think of what to say and books can sometimes help.
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Here are some suggestions.
Please tell us about others you have found useful.
 My dad’s had a brain injury! Price £3.50
From Headway
Helpline: 0808 800 2244
 The Young Persons Guide to MS, by Kerry Mutch, an MS specialist nurse, and young people aged 10 to 15 who have a parent with MS.
Answers questions and looks at how having a parent with MS can affect young people emotionally and socially, tips from young people about coping when things are difficult and looks at the positive influences MS has had on their lives.
From Multiple Sclerosis Trust
This booklet can also be downloaded
 The Wise Mouse, by Virginia Ironside
The wise mouse helps explain a mother’s mental illness to a young child. From Young Minds orderline (0870 8701721) or via their website.· A Paul Whitehouse recording can be downloaded.
 Mental illness in your family?
This booklet explains what mental illness is, the different kinds of mental illnesses, their symptoms, causes and the impact that it can have on family members.
From YoungMinds Website. It can be downloaded as a digital version (PDF file, 712.9 kB)
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