“We all need to read books where the heroes are relatable to our own selves. It’s even more important for kids. It helps develop hope, solutions, connection and a strong sense of identity, belonging.”
Meriah Nichols, deaf mom to three children with disabilities
In honor of International Children’s Book Day on April 2nd, I compiled a list of children’s books on dwarfism in order of their popularity on Amazon. A complete booklist is available in the resources section of my website at https://angelamuirvanetten.com/resources/#childrenbooks. Please contact me if you know of books missing from the list.
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Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
by Patty Lovell (Author), David Catrow (Illustrator)
August 27, 2001
Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy. When bullied on her first day in a new school she remembers her grandmother’s advice.
Reading age: 3 – 6 years
Break the Mould: How to Take Your Place in the World
by Sinéad Burke
October 15, 2020
Drawing on her own experiences as a little person, Burke encourages readers to believe in themselves, have pride in who they are, and make the world a more inclusive place.
Reading age: 9 – 13 years
Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All)
by Lori Orlinsky
February 11, 2022
A picture book about the shortest kid in the class who is scared to go to school. Her mother instills self-confidence in her by pointing out the advantages of being short.
Reading age: 2 – 6 years
Short
by Holly Goldberg Sloan
January 9, 2018
Julia is very short for her age, but she discovers her own sense of self when playing a munchkin in “The Wizard of Oz” after befriending Olive, an adult with dwarfism in the production.
Reading age: 8 – 12 years
The Thing About Georgie
by Lisa Graff
August 26, 2008
A warm and humorous novel starring an unforgettable young boy with dwarfism.
Reading age: 7 – 10 years
Little Imperfections: A Tall Tale of Growing Up Different
by Peet Montzingo & Rockwell Sands
November 1, 2022
In this picture book, Montzingo is the only “tall” sibling in a family of little people. He addresses being different, feeling like you don’t fit in, and finding yourself.
Reading age: 4 years and up
Short Or Tall Doesn’t Matter At All
by Asaf Rozanes
February 3, 2018
This illustrated story delivers the anti-bullying message about a little girl who is picked on in school because she is short and helps young kids understand they are not alone.
Reading age: 3 – 8 years
Mummy There’s a New Girl
by Danielle Webb
June 24, 2021
When a new girl joins the class, children pick on her for her looks, but one little boy looks past her differences and learns that really – size is no big deal!
Reading age: Baby – 7 years
Louie’s Together Playground
by Dr. Nicole Julia (Author), Jeff Crowther (Illustrator)
January 23, 2023
Louie is a llama with dwarfism who, together with his friends, dreams up a plan to bring the very first all-inclusive playground to their town.
Reading age: 2 – 7 years
Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/girls-books-reading-read-library-5711423/