Illustration of child swimming in river at sunset.
See full image
Jordan Scott, Illustration from I Talk Like a River by Sydney Smith (Neal Porter Books). © 2020 Jordan Scott.

Boundless: Picture Books About Disabilities

July 22 - December 31, 2021
Reading Library

This book exhibition honors picture books for and about people with disabilities. Through art and innovative design, the featured books promote accessibility and encourage young readers to imagine life from varied perspectives. Disabilities are not the whole story though. Characters form authentic friendships, participate in routine and extraordinary events, and act as agents for change. Collectively, the books render a more inclusive world.

Curated by Shelley Isaacson, 2021 Trinkett Clark Intern.

What to Expect 

This book exhibition includes over 40 picture books for and about people with disabilities. The exhibition is divided into three thematic sections: Picturing Perspectives, Page-Turning Friendships, and Empowering Plots. Books are arranged on shelves along the walls of the Reading Library for visitors to explore, read, and discuss. On each shelf, a question in place of a book acknowledges gaps in available books and encourages visitors to consider more and better representation.

 

Boundless Booklist
Explore Further
Installation image showing walls books and labels.
Story Board

Boundless: Curating a Book Exhibition about Disabilities

The Reading Library expands its collection of books for and about people with disabilities. 
Visit the shop

In the Bookshop

Cover image for Emmanuel's Dream shows a man with one leg riding a bicycle with a background of the setting sun and palm trees.

Emmanuel's Dream

Cover illustration for I Talk Like a River shows a boy swimming in a choppy, churning river.

I Talk Like a River

Cover image for We All Play shows three children bounding playfully through grass while above them three small wild cats roll and play with each other.

We All Play

Cover illustration for Just Ask! shows the title text illustrated like green plants and flowers. A child pushes a wheelbarrow with a plant in it over a small hill.

Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You

A boy and a jaguar peer at each other from behind trees in a forest.

A Boy and a Jaguar

Cover image for A Friend for Henry shows a child in a blue shirt looking intently as they stack colorful wooden blocks.

A Friend for Henry