By Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Some children have disabilities; many people will gain a disability in their lifetimes; and all people benefit from engaging with the disability community. These facts may be uncomfortable for people who don’t have disabilities and don’t have much interaction with people who do; however, engaging in accessible activities and inclusive communication eases discomfort and brings new understandings and joy. These twelve titles offer examples, and sometimes instruction, on initiating conversation and play between people of all abilities.

WOW Dozen features a list of 12 global books for children and adolescents around a theme, topic, issue or personal favorites. Each Dozen consists of ten newly-published titles with two older “must have” books. Please share or recommend additional books that fit the theme in the comments section or on social media using #WOWDozen. Use the printer icon in the upper left corner of this post to print or save this list as a PDF.​

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• Themes: Ali Stroker, All of Us: A First Conversation about Disability, Anna Sortino, Camila Carrossine, Caroline Cupp, Chance to Fly, Constellation Clues, disability, Disability Visibility, Gabriel Alborozo, Included, Jackie Khalilieh, Jayneen Sanders, Jesica Ralli, Jessica Slice, Jonathan Eden, Jose Pimienta, Just Ask, Katie Mazeika, Kayla Harren, Lee Reed, Let’s Rumble, Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Manabu Yashiro, Maybe Just Ask, Megan Madison, On the Bright Side, Rachel G. Payne, Rafael Lopez, Rebecca Ballenger, Sonia Sotomayor, Stacy Davidowitz, Tank Chair, This Is How We Talk, Ways to Play, You Started It
• Descriptors: WOW Dozen