This month we are welcoming Angela Kim, our co-op student to tell us a bit about herself and the work she is doing for CELA. Angela is also providing some book recommendations for Disability Pride Month. 

Hi Everyone! My name is Angela Kim. I’m a co-op student in the Master of Information program, specializing in Library and Information Science at the University of Toronto’s iSchool, and this summer I’ve been interning at CELA as an Accessible Library Assistant.  

Over the past couple of months, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with CELA’s printbraille collection. For those who may not be familiar with it, the printbraille collection features children’s picture books with transparent braille sheets inserted between the printed pages. This unique format allows children who are blind or who have low vision to read alongside parents, siblings, classmates, educators, and friends who read print, creating shared reading experiences. 

My project involved conducting a comprehensive inventory of the collection. Over two and a half weeks, I reviewed each title, verified item records, resolved discrepancies in item statuses, and helped improve CELA’s overall understanding of the collection. While the project focused on collection management, it also gave me the chance to discover many wonderful books I might not have encountered otherwise. As someone who is striving to become a school librarian or work in children’s and teen library programs and services, it also helped me familiarize myself with children’s books and accessible reading formats.  

As I worked through the collection, I found myself drawn to stories that celebrate disability, accessibility, inclusion, and the many ways people experience and navigate the world. In recognition of Disability Pride Month, I’ve put together a list of some of my favourite discoveries. These books highlight disability voices and experiences, celebrate diverse abilities, and encourage empathy, confidence, community, and belonging. Whether you’re reading with your family, in a classroom, or simply looking for thoughtful stories to share, I hope these titles inspire meaningful conversations and joyful reading! 

Recommended Reads for Disability Pride Month 

Here is the list of recommended printbraille books celebrating disability in no particular order. Follow the hyperlink below the synopsis of each title to borrow the book from our catalogue!

It’s My Body! By Elise Gravel 
Through Elise Gravel’s signature humorous illustrations, this joyful picture book celebrates the many ways bodies can look, move, and function. It encourages children to embrace body diversity while reinforcing the important message that every body deserves respect.  Borrow It’s My Body! from our catalogue 

Butterfly on the Wind by Adam Pottle 
A magical story about a Deaf girl who creates a butterfly with Sign Language and sends it on a journey around the world, building confidence through Sign Language and the support of the global Deaf community. A beautiful celebration of identity, resilience, and belonging with gorgeous illustrations and lyrical storytelling.  
Borrow Butterfly on the Wind from our catalogue 

We Move Together by Kelly Fritsch, Anne McGuire, and Eduardo Trejos 
One of my favourite discoveries. This vibrant picture book celebrates disability culture, accessibility, community, and the many ways people move through the world together. It also includes a kid-friendly glossary (for ages 6-9) to introduce accessibility concepts.  
Borrow We Move Together from our catalogue 

I Can, Too! By Karen Autio 
A heartwarming story of friendship between two children with different mobility needs that naturally introduces adaptive equipment while emphasizing that every child can play, explore, and have fun in their own way.  
Borrow I Can, Too! From our catalogue 

Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion by Shannon Stocker 
An inspiring biography of renowned percussionist Evelyn Glennie, showing how she redefined what it means to listen and challenged assumptions about disability.  
Borrow Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion from our catalogue 

My City Speaks by Ashley Barron and Darren Lebeuf 
Told through the perspective of a visually impaired child, this lyrical story invites readers to experience a city through sound, touch, smell, and imagination, reminding us that there are many ways to experience the world.  
Borrow My City Speaks from our catalogue 

Splash by Claire Cashmore 
Based on the life of Paralympic gold medallist Claire Cashmore, who was born without a left forearm. This empowering story shows that being different doesn’t have to stand in the way of achieving big dreams. It is also on the TD Summer Readling Club (TDSRC) list! Check out the full list of TDSRC recommended reads, the majority of which are available in accessible formats through CELA. 
Borrow Splash from our catalogue 

Laurie by Elfi Nijssen and Eline Van Lindenhuizen 
Laurie doesn’t hear well, making everyday conversations and play challenging at times. When she receives hearing aids, she gains new confidence navigating the world around her. This gentle story introduces young readers to hearing loss while fostering empathy and understanding.  
Borrow Laurie from our catalogue 

I Love My Body Because by Shelly Anand 
A joyful celebration of body positivity that embraces bodies of all shapes, sizes, and abilities, encouraging young readers to appreciate what makes each person unique.  
Borrow I Love My Body Because from our catalogue 

King for a Day by Rukhsana Khan 
Set during Pakistan’s Basant kite festival, this story follows a young boy who uses a wheelchair and is determined to compete alongside everyone else, celebrating perseverance, culture, and inclusion.  
Borrow King for a Day from our catalogue 

I See You See by Patrice Barton and Richard Jackson 
A whimsical story about siblings whose different ways of seeing and experiencing the world turn an ordinary walk into an extraordinary adventure, celebrating imagination and diverse abilities.  
Borrow I See You See from our catalogue 

I Will Dance by Nancy Bo Flood and Julianna Swaney 
A touching story about Eva, a young girl with cerebral palsy who dreams of becoming a dancer. When she discovers an inclusive dance class, she finds not only the freedom to dance but also a community where she truly belongs. A beautiful celebration of perseverance, self-expression, and inclusive spaces.  
Borrow I Will Dance from our catalogue 

I’m Wendy Blair, not a chair! by Carolyn MacDiarmid and Sarah Ennals 
When Wendy begins using a wheelchair after an accident, she reminds everyone that she is still the same creative, athletic, and funny person she has always been. If you like this book, check out the Adventures of Wendy Blair series for more! 
Borrow I’m Wendy Blair, not a chair! from our catalogue 

Midnight and Moon by Daniel Miyares and Kelly Cooper 
A touching story about a non-speaking girl and a blind horse who form an unlikely friendship and discover that the qualities that make us different can also be our strengths.  
Borrow Midnight and Moon from our catalogue 

My brother Charlie: a sister's story of autism by Holly Robinson Peete, Ryan Elizabeth Peete, and Shane Evans 
Narrated by Charlie’s sister, this warm and honest story highlights both the challenges and joys of having a sibling with autism, and how proud she is to have Charlie as a brother.  
Borrow My brother Charlie: a sister's story of autism from our catalogue 

I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith 
Based on the author’s own experiences with stuttering, this beautifully written and illustrated story follows a boy who struggles to express himself until a walk with his father helps him see his voice in a new way. A moving story about acceptance, patience, and finding confidence in who you are.  
Borrow I Talk Like a River from our catalogue 

Victoria’s Day by Maria de Fatima Campos 
A gentle look at the everyday life of a child with Down syndrome, emphasizing friendship, family, school, and the routines that connect us all.  
Borrow Victoria’s Day from our catalogue. 

The sound of colors: a journey of the imagination by Jimi and Sarah L. Thomson 
A beautifully imaginative story about a young woman losing her vision who discovers comfort, creativity, and new ways of experiencing the world. 
Borrow The sound of colors: a journey of the imagination from our catalogue 

Disability Pride Month is a wonderful reminder that disability is an important part of diversity and that everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in the stories they read. I hope these books encourage readers of all ages to celebrate diverse abilities, foster empathy, and discover the richness of disability experiences through inclusive storytelling.