Disability Books for Kids

Free Spirit Publishing is committed to uplifting diverse voices with books that are relevant and inclusive for the youth we serve. We are especially seeking manuscripts from authors of diverse representation; including race, ethnicity, culture, religion, social class, LGBTQ identities, ability, and physical differences.

Description: The Disability Books for Kids series explores visible and invisible disability in the first person, as seen through the eyes of children and written from lived experience. The series builds allyship, challenges ableism, and celebrates difference, empowering and educating all readers. 

The first books in this series will be publishing in 2026:

• More Than What Eyes See: A book about blindness by Miso Kwak
• Uncommonly Curious, Eternally Autistic: A book about autism by Rasha Hamid
• Tic-errific Me: A book about Tourette syndrome by Alicia Meyers
• Curious Mind and Dancing Feet: A book about ADHD by Melinda Gonzalez
• I Spark Like Lightning: A book about epilepsy by Jenna Elyse Johnson
• My Life as an Asthmanaut: A book about asthma by Jack Lockett

We are currently reviewing manuscripts to add more topics to this series!

Interest Level: Ages 4-8 

Who should submit? We are seeking authors who have lived childhood experiences with a disability. We also welcome submissions from coauthors, including a professional paired with a coauthor who has lived experience. People of all ages are encouraged to submit, including children, teens, and adults. 

Goal Statements: 

• Uplift voices of people with disabilities. Each book will be authored by a writer who has the disability; or coauthored with an expert and a person with the disability.  
• Build empathy and allyship through advocacy/inclusion focus.  
• Written to and for all children. 
• Honors differences and provides a sense of belonging and empowerment for all children.  
• Demonstrates the strength of diversity when everyone can participate fully.  
• Tone and portrayal of people with disabilities is positive, and each book has the unique voice of the author.  
• Seeking diversity in race, ethnicity, culture, and gender across the series to best represent diverse experiences of having disabilities.  

Suggested Guidelines: 

• Word count: 350-550 words
• Expository, written in first person from a child's perspective 
• Lyrical, authentic, and engaging text
• 32-36 pages, picture book
• May include illustration direction in brackets. 
• Prioritize celebration of self. 

Suggested Content Options: 

• Using first person, introduce a child speaker who has the disability, including strengths, passions, skills, and/or hobbies. 
• Name and define/describe the disability. 
• Included details offering an honest portrayal of life for a child with this disability.
• Consider representing accommodations that assist children with this disability.
• Consider representing or addressing societal challenges.
• Prioritize celebration of self and representation.
   

We want to honor and uplift your voice and expertise! Everything named in our guidelines is intended to provide ideas for our authors and consistency for the series; and is not required. We want to hear your voice and content ideas. Email acquisitions@freespirit.com if you would like more ideas for a suggested table of contents before writing your manuscript and proposal.