Are you looking for books with neurodiverse characters? This post shares popular books showing neurodiversity that elementary teachers often use as read alouds this time of year. All of the picture books on this list lend themselves to this topic really well. Take a peek below to learn more about these books with neurodiverse characters!
3 Picture Books with Neurodiverse Characters
Below is a list of some of our favorite books with neurodiverse characters. Check them out below!
1. My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete
My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete is about Callie and Charlie, twins who are very similar. They both have curly hair and brown eyes, and love hot chocolate with marshmallows. However, even when they were very little Callie and her mother knew Charlie was different. It was difficult for him to say “I love you” and he was very quiet. They learned that Charlie had autism which makes some things more challenging for him.
Throughout the book Callie teachers readers about her brother Charlie and what it is like having a brother with autism. She explains the things that are challenging for him, and the things that are challenging when your brother is autistic. Callie also teaches readers about all the wonderful qualities of her brother and how he shows his love to his family members. This heartwarming story about siblings is a great way to teach young readers about appreciating diversity.
Check out these My Brother Charlie lessons and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging interactive read aloud lessons!
2. Thank You Mr, Falker by Patricia Polacco
Thank You Mr, Falker by Patricia Polacco is about a girl named Trisha. When Trisha turned five, her grandfather explained that learning to read would give her the gift of knowledge. Trisha loved being read to and couldn’t wait until she learned to read herself. However, when Trisha started school, reading did not come easy to her. Her classmates continued to move forward in reading but Trisha struggled to sound out words. Throughout her years in school, Trisha’s classmates would laugh at her and call her names.
When Trisha started fifth grade, her teacher was Mr. Falker. He was always supportive of Patricia and her gift of drawing. Students continued to call Trisha awful names, and she started to believe them. Soon, Mr. Falker realized how much Trisha was struggling and that she learned differently. He started staying after school with her, determined to teach her how to read. After months of practice, Trisha was excited to be able to read a paragraph. Years later, she saw Mr. Falker again and explained she grew up to be an author.
Check out these Thank You Mr, Falker lessons and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging interactive read aloud lessons!
3. The Lemonade Hurricane by Licia Morelli
In The Lemonade Hurricane by Licia Morelli, Emma likes to stop, rest and meditate. She takes opportunities to be still and calm down. However, her brother Henry, does not. Emma calls Henry The Lemonade Hurricane because he likes to run, wrestle, roar and drink lemonade. His body is constantly out of control and it hurts Emma and Henry’s relationship.
One day Emma decides that she is going to teach Henry how to stop and be still in order to help him calm his body. At first Henry isn’t quite sure, but then he decides he can do it and learns to meditate. Henry and Emma both practice bowing, breathing and being still.
Check out these The Lemonade Hurricane lessons and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging interactive read aloud lessons!
Grab the Free Reading Resources!
In closing, we hope you found this list of books with neurodiverse characters helpful! They are part of our Starts With a Story collection. If you want to get more book ideas to read aloud to your elementary students, then grab this reading freebie. It includes read aloud books lists, reading logs, and reading challenges for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classroom teachers. It will have you covered for the entire school year, as well as the summer months! Grab this free elementary reading packet now!
