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Children’s Books About Autism

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Did you know that 1 in 68 children have an Autism  Spectrum Disorder (according to the CDC)?  Chances are that you know someone with autism.  Today I’m sharing children’s books about Autism.

There were once very few children’s books about Autism.  However, more and more quality books are now available.  Here are some of my favorites.  All which have been published in the last ten years or so.

children's books about autism

 

*Full Disclosure:  The author of Leah’s Voice and Super Lexi sent review copies of their books.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.  This post also contains affiliate links.

Children’s Books About Autism

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[easyazon_link identifier=”1943147302″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin[/easyazon_link] by Julia Finley Mosca is accessible to younger children with rhyming text. In the story, we meet a doctor who uses her unique strengths to make a huge difference in the world. It’s an inspiring story of someone living with Autism.

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[easyazon_link identifier=”1452167915″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]A Friend for Henry[/easyazon_link]by Jenn Bailey is the story of a young boy the autism spectrum who is in search of a friend.  It just so happens a friend finds him.

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Leah’s Voice by Lori DeMonia is a realistic fiction story about a little girl who learns why her sister sometimes has a hard time in social situations.  This book would be helpful to siblings who have a hard time explaining to their friends that their brother or sister has Autism.  Inclusion and acceptance are two themes showcased in this story.

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My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete is the story of a girl who tells what life is like growing up with a brother who has Autism.

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My Friend Has Autism by Amanda Doering Tourville is about the friendship between two boys, one of which has Autism.  The two both love airplanes, building models and hanging out together.  The book also includes “Did you know?” fact bubbles sprinkled throughout the story.

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I Am Utterly Unique (Celebrating the Strengths of Children with Aspergers Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism) by Elaine Marie Larson is a super cute ABC book about all the great attributes of a person with Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism.

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Since We’re Friends– An Autism Picture Book by Celeste Shally is the story of two friends one of which has autism.  It shares all the things two friends love to do such as playing sports, watching movies and talking about animals.

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My Best Friend Will by Jamie Lowell and Tara Tuchel would work well for the bigger kids.  It’s a photographic journey of a girl’s best friend who happens to have Autism.  It gives a really nice look at details about what it’s like to have Autism.  At the end of the book you will find numerous tips for parents and teachers to use with the book.

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For older readers, the beginner chapter book, Spaghetti is Not a Finger Food by Jodi Carmichael allows us to see through the eyes of a boy who has Asperger’s Syndrome.  It’s great for teaching kids about diverse ways of thinking.
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Super Lexi by Emma Lesko is another beginning chapter book.  Lexi is a second grader who deals with sensory issues.  She’s not a big fan of yogurt or songs that get stuck in her head.  One of things she dislikes the most is eyeballs staring at her.  Lexi has a challenge because she has a solo in the school Parents’ Day performance.  Will her superpower tornado-twirl help her disappear off the stage?  Also check out [easyazon_link identifier=”0991431014″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Super Lexi Is Not a Fan of Christmas (Volume 2)[/easyazon_link]Super Lexi is Not a Fan of Christmas.

Have you found other great books on the topic?

Printable Book List of Autism Books

autism related books for kids

Grab a printable book list of the books above.  Just click the link below to grab your list.

 

*This post was first published on Growing Book by Book on 9/2/13.

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About Jodie Rodriguez

Jodie Rodriguez is a mom of two young boys and an early childhood/elementary educator with over 20 years of experience. Jodie's passion is helping parents, teachers, librarians and anyone else interested in nurturing and reaching ALL of our youngest growing readers.

Comments

  1. Lee says

    This is a Really great list. I was wondering if y have seen “BrokEn Bridges” or “super hero joel”, both books help kids and parents understand autism better. Thanks again for the list.

  3. Brandie Wiley says

    Great list! I would love for you to consider my book, Why Won’t He Look At Me? A Book for Young Children Struggling to Understand Autism. Please, let me know if you’d like further information. I’m a mom to three autistic children on a quest to make the world a more accepting and inclusive place for people with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities.

    • Jodie Rodriguez says

      Hi Nikki, you can click on the title of the books in the post and it will take you to Amazon to purchase. Or you could have a bookstore locally order them for you. Best, Jodie

  7. Rebecca Flansburg says

    a subject near and dear to my heart 🙂 Thanks for a great list, Jodie! I know of a middle grade book on autism called No one needed to know by D.g. Driver too.

  9. Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews says

    This is such a great list! Thanks so much for pulling this together and sharing with the Kid Lit Blog Hop. I thought I remember Holly Robinson Peete being a big advocate for autism awareness. I didn’t realize she had written a book. Pinning to my Kid Lit Blog Hop Great Finds board! 🙂

  12. Deceptively Educational says

    Anna and Natalie aren’t the only ones that love this list! I, too, will be featuring your post on my site for this week’s After School Linky. Stop by, check it out, and share more while you’re there!

  14. Natalie says

    This is a great list of resources. Thanks for sharing them with Afterschool. I also really like seeing your recommendations on FB 🙂

  16. Jill says

    You have put together such a wonderful list that will make a difference to so many 🙂 I have written down a few of these titles to borrow from our library the next time we check out books.

    Thank you for linking up this week to the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop! I do hope that you will visit my neck of the magical woods every week and take a quick rest by the tree on the tree stump while you read everyone’s blog posts that they have so thoughtfully shared with all of us.

  17. Pragmaticmom says

    Wonderful list and so important for kids to realize how to treat classmates with austism since it is so prevalent. I think books are wonderful way for kids to learn empathy and compassion. I really like My Brother Charlie and I’m excited to read the rest of your list!

  18. Anna@The Measured Mom says

    What a great resource! Thanks so much for compiling this list. I’d love if you’d link up at the After School Linky for kids ages 5+! It went live on my blog today and is co-hosted by 9 other blogs.

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