Back in my librarian days, I put together an all-in-one blog post with books that highlighted neurodiversity and included learning differences and abilities across the spectrum. Today, it’s my pleasure to share a list of kidlit books, focused on elementary ages, that feature neurodivergent voices, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Note for educators and librarians: This list would be a great resource to use annually for Autism Awareness Month in April and ADHD Awareness Month in October.
PICTURE BOOKS
Book title: ADHD and Me (get your copy here)
Written by (me!) Chelsea DiCicco
Artwork commissioned by Leonie Cheetham
Recommended ages 5-8
Themes: social emotional learning, family, education, home-life, school-life
Featured DIS: ADHD, ASD
Blurb: A neurodivergent story about embracing your differences. For eight-year-old Malory, who has ADHD, school isn’t always an easy place to be. But Malory isn’t the only one who has difficult days. Sometimes it’s her classmates, teachers, or parents. Malory tries her best to focus, but oftentimes, her mind wanders, leading to trips to the principal’s office and phone calls home. Malory’s art teacher, Ms. Julie, understands how it feels to think a little differently from others. Born with Autism, Ms. Julie found comfort and calm through art. Now she uses it to help others to find their safe, creative haven, too. In this inspiring neurodiverse story, Malory will discover that with a little bit of love and support from friends, you can do anything and, along the way, learn the power of believing in yourself and embracing your differences.
Extra resources: extra activities such as learning worksheets including word searches, connect the dot pages, and lesson plans, as well as recreational coloring pages can be found for free download on the author’s website.
Book title: Benji’s Busy Brain (get your copy here)
Written and illustrated by Erin Schoenfelder Gonzalez
Recommended ages 4-8
Themes: social emotional learning
Featured DIS: ADHD
Blurb: Benji’s busy brain brings him adventure and excitement, but it can also make some things harder for him. Join Benji as he learns about being diagnosed with ADHD and adds skills to his toolkit to harness the magic powers of his busy brain. Benji’s Busy Brain is the first in the My ADHD Toolkit Books series written by child psychologist and ADHD specialist Dr. Erin Schoenfelder Gonzalez.
Book title: My Brain is a Race Car: A children’s guide to a neurodivergent brain (get your copy here)
Written and illustrated by Nell Harris
Recommended ages 4-8
Themes: social emotional learning
Featured DIS: ASD
Blurb: “Brains are just like cars, they all drive round and round a track, picking up information and then bringing it back. Some brains are Race Cars that like to drive extra fast. Sometimes, though, they forget to stop and fully complete a task.’ But driving cars fast all the time and not servicing or maintaining them leads to overheating and burnout. We can apply that same logic to our brains.
Book title: Different Thinkers: ADHD (get your copy here)
Written by Katia Fredriksen and Yael Rothman
Illustrated by Jennifer Ball-Cordero
Recommended ages: 7-9
Themes: Stigma, Education
Featured DIS: ADHD
Blurb: Different Thinkers: ADHD uses simple language and complementary illustrations to explain how the human brain develops, what it means to have ADHD, how the condition affects emotions and behaviors, and what kids can do to handle its challenges while building on their individual strengths.
Book title: My Wandering Dreaming Mind (get your copy here)
Written by Merriam Sarcia Saunders
Illustrated by Tammie Lyon
Recommended ages: 5-9
Themes: social emotional learning
Featured DIS: ADHD
Blurb: Sadie’s thoughts feel like they’re floating high in the clouds and pulling them back down can be hard. At school and at home, paying attention doesn’t always come easily, and keeping up with assignments, chores, and friendships can feel overwhelming. When distractions take over, Sadie notices her mistakes more than her many strengths.
With the support of her parents, Sadie learns a simple and encouraging way to recognize what makes her special. This relatable picture book helps children understand that challenges with focus don’t define who they are. Praised by the Oregon Coast Youth Book Preview Center, the story offers reassurance to children who are easily distracted while highlighting the importance of self-esteem, encouragement, and focusing on positive qualities.
Book title: Juan Has the Jitters (get your copy here)
Written by Aneta Cruz
Illustrated by Miki Yamamoto
Recommended ages 4-8
Themes: social emotional learning
Featured DIS: ASD
Tagline: An interactive children’s book about inclusion, diversity, and the power of math to help one boy with autism thrive amongst his peers.
Blurb: Juan claps his hands to get his Jitters out. They make his tummy swoosh and swirl. They happen when there are too many people, too much noise, or too many changes to his day. Juan doesn’t like surprises!
Tomorrow there is an athletic event planned at school, which makes Juan very nervous. But his teacher has the perfect solution! Math–Juan’s favorite subject! Counting, sorting, and matching help Juan to calm his Jitters. They focus his mind and keep him engaged. By making math part of the day’s athletic games, and by appointing Juan the official judge, he can have fun and feel included. The class is calling it the Mathletic Games!
Juan Has the Jitters is an interactive children’s story about how one boy manages his autism. It is a lesson in the power of inclusion, as the class takes steps to normalize Juan’s special qualities. Colorfully illustrated, this book invites young readers to help Juan as he counts, matches, and sorts both people and objects from the games. Parents of children 4 to 8 years-old can use this book to help teach kids about diversity and the beauty in what makes every one of us unique. Teachers will find the book meets Common Core standard and nurtures multiple domains of scholastic development.
Book title: Masterpiece (get your copy here)
Written by Alexandra Hoffman
Illustrated by Beatriz Mello
Recommended ages 6-9
Themes: social emotional learning
Featured DIS: ASD
Blurb: Masterpiece is an inclusive story featuring Samuel, a boy on the autism spectrum who sees the world differently than his peers. When Samuel’s teacher asks his class to create a piece of art, it quickly becomes apparent that his beautiful way of looking at the world makes him a true masterpiece!
Throughout the story, the other students in his class learn lessons of empathy, understanding, and acceptance. The colourful illustrations will delight children, and Masterpiece may just become a family favourite.
Book title: Some Brains: A Book Celebrating Neurodiversity (get your copy here)
Written by Nelly Thomas
Illustrated by Cat MacInnes
Recommended ages 5-9
Themes: neurodiversity
Featured DIS: ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia
Blurb: Some Brains is the latest heartwarming and funny picture book by Melbourne comedian and author, Nelly Thomas. It starts from the premise that neurodiversity (conditions like Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and the like) is a normal, essential part of human biodiversity – without it, we don’t get Picasso, Einstein, or Greta Thunberg! Yes, neurodiverse kids sometimes require a bit of extra help and patience, but they should never be viewed as disordered. Some Brains encourages us all look for our strengths and to understand that brains are like fingerprints – uniquely, wonderfully ours. All brains are special, All brains are smart, All kids have big thoughts, And all kids have big hearts. ALL KIDS ARE SPECIAL – JUST FOLLOW THEIR HEARTS
Book title: My Brain is Magic: A Sensory-Seeking Celebration (get your copy here)
Written by Prasha Sooful
Illustrated by Geeta Ladi
Recommended ages 5-9
Themes: sensory processing
Featured DIS: SPD/neurodivergence
Is your brain magic? Whether your brain buzzes around the room like a bee or tells you to be loud and roar like a lion, celebrate the many things that it can be!
This sensory-seeking celebration shines a light on neurodiversity and sensory processing in a fun and action-packed way for all children to enjoy.
Book title: The Brain Forest (get your copy here)
Written by Sandhya Menon
Illustrated by Kushla Ross
Recommended ages 5-8
Themes: neurodiversity
Featured DIS: ADHD, Dyslexia, anxiety
The Brain Forest is a fun and engaging children’s book written by neurodivergent child psychologist Sandhya Menon that teaches children about neurodiversity, including neurotypical brains, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, and more-in language that builds understanding without pathologizing difference. Unlike books that focus only on “acceptance,” The Brain Forest acknowledges real challenges while centering strengths, helping children develop positive neurodivergent identity from an early age.
Book title: Wonderfully Wired Brains: An Introduction to the World of Neurodiversity (get your copy here)
Written by Louise Gooding
Illustrated by Ruth Burrows
Recommended ages 7-9
Themes: neurodiversity, education
Featured DIS: ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia
Blurb: Wonderfully Wired Brains teaches children aged 7-9 all about the awesome abilities that neurodiverse individuals have, introduces them to advocates who are challenging neurodiversity stereotypes, and most importantly gives them a safe space to feel accepted.
This inspirational book written by neurodiverse author Louise Gooding challenges misconceptions and shows how neurodivergent brains work a little differently. Our brains are unique in the way they function, work, and think. Neurodiversity is still a relatively ’new’ concept that can be tricky to understand, but this book is here to help!
Have a book recommendation? Leave it in the comments!
