BooksForTopics: Five books for Neurodiversity Celebration Week

11-year-old Alex is autistic and having difficulty navigating school and friendships, especially with the transition to secondary school on the horizon. His relationship with his dog, Kevin, is at the heart of the story and their ambitions ultimately lead to important lessons about friendship.

Dog-themed children’s books are hugely popular with children and it’s refreshing to see a neurodivergent main character in one. This is a positive and uplifting book that would appeal to readers throughout Key Stage Two. An empathy-boosting story that explores themes of change, friendship, animals and neurodiversity.

As well as the bond between children and pets, the story covers some of the anxieties and concerns associated with the transition to secondary school and the challenges of change for autistic individuals. It would also be suitable for much younger capable readers and will be enjoyed by a wide range of readers, making it a great choice for a school library. 

view paws by kate foster

Bobby tries really hard to concentrate like his friends, but whenever he is distracted by the sights, sounds and smells around him, he floats away into the clouds.  He tries to find a solution by tying himself to the ground, but this means his thoughts and dreams escape and he feels empty inside.

Cloud Boy is a colourful exploration of a common challenge faced by neurodivergent children, and how a little understanding and seeing how others perceive the world around them can make a hugely positive difference. The story references sensory stimulation and distractions, the worry and shame often felt by pupils who find concentration challenging, the limits and restrictions that society can place on individuals and how this can result in overwhelm, which can take a long time to recover from. It finishes by celebrating the wonderful creativity that can be borne from a mind that thinks outside the box.

A great 'I see me' picturebook read for any pupils, who see the world differently, and their peers and family who support them through the trickier times.

view cloud boy by greg stobbs

Frankie is different from her peers but she's not sure why, so she sets off in search of her dad in the hope that he has the answers. As she shares the ups and downs of family and school life, Frankie tackles bullies, discovers her strengths and gains a deeper understanding of identity.

This graphic novel follows the story of Frankie and offers readers a delightful blend of humour, reliability and empathy. Drawn from the author’s own life experiences, this is told from the perspective of Frankie, a girl who is autistic.

Readers will cheer Frankie on in this wonderful graphic novel of growth and self-discovery, illustrated in bright oranges and blues.

view frankie's world

This story follows a young neurodivergent girl, Gina, as she journeys through the story of Red Riding Hood, fixing mistakes and recounting the facts.

It's a superb book to share with one child or a whole class. The inside cover alone is a delight – crammed with emojis showing an array of emotions which children can share and talk about.

Craig Barr-Green weaves into the narrative simple everyday strategies that Gina and her supporting adults utilise –  the use of charts to show how she feels, the making of lists to keep her organised and the importance of familiar items when she goes on a journey.

The first reading is fun, the second builds further understanding and the third reveals even more about the way we all think and feel. Find more fun twists on fairy tales on our new Fairy Tales and Traditional Stories booklist.

view gina kaminski saves the wolf

This non-fiction book about neurodiversity should be in every KS2 classroom (and is appropriate and informative for older children too!) to help develop understanding and acceptance in the next generation. It is an informative book about such an important and complex subject.

It is well-written and talks about the positive aspects of neurodiversity, as well as some of the challenges faced, without reinforcing labels or stereotypes. The book provides helpful vocabulary and simple explanations to aid children in understanding how different people’s brains are wired differently. The information about masking was particularly helpful, and it was good to see this included. The book is presented in a logical way and the information is offered in short, manageable chunks, which helps.

A great read, with lots to learn for adults and children.

view wonderfully wired brains