Suggested Children’s Book List
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Wonder is the story of August (Auggie) Pullman, born with a facial difference that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He’s about to enter 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid, then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances?
You can order a special edition copy of Wonder from the CCA webstore or apply for a discount rate for bulk purchase by contacting the office. Complimentary curriculum also available through CCA upon request.
Buy Special Edition book through the CCA Webstore.
Treacher Collins Syndrome
AGES 8-16 YEARS
Download the Educator Curriculum, here.
Jack’s New Smile By Ruth M Trivelpiece MEd (Author), Brooke Nunez (Illustrator), Suzanne N West MSN (Contributor), Jennifer L Rhodes MD(Contributor)
Jack’s New Smile was written for brothers and sisters of a new baby with cleft lip/palate. Baby Jack’s experience with cleft lip and palate is recounted through the eyes of his loving older sister. The book is also intended for children born with a cleft to help them learn about themselves. It is meant to provide some answers to questions children may not know how to ask. We hope that by reading this story, your child will know that having a cleft is not scary or bad. The book can also be used as a starting point for a more detailed talk with older children. All proceeds support patient families.
Buy book on Amazon
Cleft Lip & Palate
Fearless is an inspiring collection of poems and illustrations created for children with craniofacial challenges. Originally published in 2001 by Children’s Craniofacial Association, the small regional release was immediately embraced by children and families affected by facial difference. This 10th anniversary edition has been redesigned for the eBook platform.
The Adventures of Prickly Pear and Happy Hoglet and Pit Bully By Edward Buchanan, MD
These two children’s books are written by Dr. Buchanan, part of the Texas Children’s Hospital Craniofacial Team and help children and parents prepare and empower themselves to cope with bullying or teasing and how to deal with emotions of all kinds.
The Courage to Be Kind By Jenny Levin and Rena Rosen
In The Courage to Be Kind, authors Jenny Levin and Rena Rosen teach children and parents how to act and respond when they see someone who looks different. Learn with Sam and Ellie as they encounter and interact with several kids in different ways. Ellie is blunt and often offensive. Sam tries to find common ground with each person and provides an example of how to behave. The dramatization of each difference includes photographs and a list of frequently asked questions so kids and parents can learn about various syndromes together. Through a series of scenarios, The Courage to Be Kind offers a tool to facilitate conversations about kindness and to teach with the art of compassion.
Buy the book or ebook, here.
Elmer By David McKee
David McKee has woven a story about an elephant named Elmer who is the only elephant in the jungle who is patchwork instead of gray. We are invited to share what happens when Elmer gets tired of being different. This is a story about laughing with, instead of at, something different.
Publisher: Lothrop Lee and Shepard Books, 1989
Buy the book, here.
I Like Me By Nancy Carlson
“Meet Nancy Carlson’s peppy pig—a character who is full of good feelings about herself. Her story will leave little ones feeling good about themselves, too!”
“Wonderful in its simplicity, here’s a story that will help kids feel good about themselves.” — Boston Globe
Buy the book, here.
It’s Okay to be Different By Todd Parr
Mary Hassler, mother of Claire, who was born with Apert Syndrome, alerted us to this delightful children’s resource. She says:
“The book has vibrant illustrations and very simple words that can be used effectively to generate discussion about all sorts of differences. My 4 and 6 year olds love it.”
Buy the book, here.
Smile with Simon By Patricia Simon
Mary Hassler, mother of Claire, who was born with Apert Syndrome, alerted us to this delightful children’s resource. She says:
Buy the book, here.
Cleft Lip & Palate
Tales of Grace | A Different Me By Judy Ryan
Friendships, self-esteem and fitting-in – all standard desires of young girls. However, when kindhearted 11-year-old Grace Archer was diagnosed 2 years earlier with a not-so-common facial cancer, her life changed forever, and her early adolescent worries elevated by her changed face. Her struggle for confidence and happiness is tested every day.
Buy the book or download the Kindle version on Amazon.
Facial Cancer
We Can Get Along By Lauren Murphy Payne, M.S.W & Illustrated by Melissa Iwai
In simple affirming words and enchanting illustrations, this book teaches young children to think before they speak or act and to treat others the way they want to be treated. The focus is on kindness, respect, tolerance, and responsibility. What a book! We think the whole world could use a little of this one.
Free Spirit Publishing
Minneapolis, MN
Buy the book, here.
AGES 3-8 YEARS
Two Speckled Eggs By Jennier K. Mann
“This is a charming story for an elementary child beginning to notice her classmates are not all alike. At first being different seems undesirable, but the child learns that sometimes we find similarities even in people who are different, and that being different can be a good thing. You can’t judge a book by its cover is the lesson learned.”
Buy the book, here, on Amazon or download the Audiobook
AGES 4-8 YEARS
Not Your Typical Dragon By Dan Bar-el & Illustrated by Tim Bowers
“As the mother of a “Not-Your-Typical-Child”, I love the message that little Crispin’s “defect” could ultimately be celebrated and appreciated by his family and community, especially his dad. This story is simple and heartwarming, and a really love reading it out loud–it really lends itself to doing fun voices! Excellent!”
Buy the book, here, on Amazon or download the Kindle version
AGES 4-8 YEARS
Charlie the Caterpiller: Dragon By DXXXXXX
“A wonderful book to discuss what counts in life and it is not beauty. I have read this book countless times to my classes. It is part of my personal library. Illustrations are heart warming as well as the meaning of friendship.”
Buy the book, here, on Amazon or download the Kindle version XXXX
AGES 4-8 YEARS XXXX
You are Special By Max Lucado
Every day the small wooden people called Wemmicks do the same thing: stick either gold stars or gray dots on one another. The pretty ones with smooth wood and fine paint, as well as the talented ones, always get stars. But the ones like Punchinello who aren’t as talented, or have chipped paint, get ugly gray dots. In this heartwarming children’s tale from bestselling author Max Lucado, Eli the woodcarver helps Punchinello understand how special he is–no matter what other Wemmicks may think. It’s a vital message for children everywhere: Regardless of how the world evaluates them, God cherishes each of them, just as they are.
Buy the book, here.
