Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities

The following books have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 IBBY Selection of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities:

I Am You Are: Let’s Talk about Disability, Individuality and Empowerment

Ashley Harris Whaley, illus. by Ananya Rao-Middleton

Ladybird Books, 2023

Sh!t bag

Xena Knox

Hodder Children’s, 2023

The 2025 Outstanding List was presented at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair on March 31, 2025. The list of titles is shared on the Toronto Public Library website https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/ibby/ and through the IBBY website www.ibby.org

The criteria for nomination for the 2025 list are now just two categories– picture books and novels. Books can now also be submitted which focus on mental health issues as a central subject.

Category One – Accessible Books

Picture books from the regular production especially selected for young people with disabilities that also answer their particular needs through design, topics, illustrations and texts.

Category Two – Portrayals of Disability

Picture books and novels from the regular children’s book production that portray persons with disabilities. Mental health issues such as OCD or schizophrenia are included.

The IBBY UK’s nominations this year were selected by a working party whose members were Dr Rebecca Butler, Carol Thompson and Susan Prior. These are their comments:

This year we noticed a strong shift towards ‘own voice’ or ‘lived experience’ writers and illustrators. The drive for inclusion of ‘own voices’ is gaining momentum which is so important for authors from marginalised groups. It was exciting to see submissions on topics that we have not previously encountered, including, a raging, whip-smart , teenage colostomy bag wearer and her ‘shit-bag’ wearing community; a sparkling, but rare historical Y/A novel, set in a ‘Home for Unfortunates’ where a group of adventurous girls plan a heist, their diverse disabilities both secondary and un-named; a child with limb difference. We were pleased to receive books resulting from collaborations with agencies, family groups and museums. Disabled, activist writers are questioning language and narratives around disability, using their work as a tool to speak to marginalised communities. They are seen, heard and acknowledged.

 

We want to highlight new ideas and voices with this book list. Publishers are steadily pushing boundaries, empowering children and young people to embrace their disability as diversity, and to look out for one another. Please send us possible future titles as soon as they are published.

The 2025 Picture Book nominations from IBBY UK:

I Am You Are: Let’s Talk about Disability, Individuality and Empowerment

Ashley Harris Whaley, illus. Ananya Rao-Middleton

Ladybird Books, 2023

The Visible Sounds

Yin Jianling, illus. Yu Rong

UCLan PUBLISHING, 2021

You’re so amazing!

James & Lucy Catchpole, illus. Karen George

Faber & Faber, 2023

The Roller Coaster Ride

David Broadbent

Child’s Play, 2021

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Child’s Play, illus. Tatsiana Burgaud

Child’s Play, 2023

The 2025 Young Adult nominations from IBBY UK:

Sh!t bag

Xena Knox

Hodder Children’s, 2023

When I feel Red

Lily Bailey

Orion Children’s Books, 2024

Sing if You Can’t Dance

Alexia Casale

Faber & Faber, 2023

Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star

Laura Noakes, illus. Flavia Sorrentino

Harper Collins, 2023