Characters with disabilities in children's literature: Recognizing our similarities through diversity

Because of the mandate under IDEA to educate all children in the least restrictive environment, more children with disabilities receive their education in general education classrooms each year. These children are learning and interacting with their peers who do not have disabilities. It is important for children in these inclusive classrooms to have positive attitudes toward children with disabilities.; Books that include characters with cognitive disabilities are one avenue for teaching children about their peers who have learning disabilities, mental disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder. Like all children's books, these books can be extremely well written, or they can be of inferior quality.; This manuscript focuses on a literary analysis of children's books that contain characters with disabilities. The books are analyzed using a process of reader response from both an adult and child perspective; a structural analysis of the primary literary elements within each book, including theme, plot, characterization, style, setting and accuracy of issues dealing with disabilities; and an analysis of the authors' backgrounds.; Thirty-five books were selected that had been published between 1978 and 2000. Using the tools of literary analysis, the author has selected several books of exemplary quality that could be used by a classroom teacher to enhance the understanding that children have of their peers with disabilities.