Annotated Bibliography: Mild Intellectual Disability

Makenzie Rey Keyser

My Friend Isabelle ​written by Woloson E. (2003). Illustrated

by B. Gough. Woodbine House.
For grade levels P-1: Told from the perspective of a boy
named Charlie, readers are taken through the journey of his
friendship with a girl named Isabelle. The story begins with
Charlie noting the differences between the two, some specific
to Isabelle’s disability, some not. For example, Charlie
acknowledges that it is sometimes hard for him to understand what Isabelle is saying. Then the
story shifts to things they like to do when they play together, and despite their differences, they
have fun playing with each other. Charlie sees Isabelle for who she is as a person, and he learns
that “differences are what makes the world so great,” which is something his mom told him.

This is Ella​ written by Ewert K. (2017). Illustrated by C. Baker.

FriesenPress.
For grade levels P-3: This book is about Ella, a little girl with
Down syndrome. The book talks about Ella’s physical
characteristics and personality traits that may or may not be similar
to other children, and emphasizes that she is more alike than
different. The story reveals the message that although Ella might
have some differences, she still desires to be accepted and included
in things. Inspired by her daughter Ella, Krista Ewart wrote this
book with the purpose of informing other children about Down
syndrome, inclusion, and friendship.

Pablo Pineda: Being Different is a Value​ written by Bosch A.

& Sala M. (2016). Illustrated by Silvia Alvarez. Cuento de Luz.
For grade levels K-5 (and offered in both English and Spanish):
Pablo Pineda is a boy with Down syndrome. The short story
picture book takes readers through his life, and particularly his
education journey. The book begins by portraying the worries
that Pablo’s parents face when they realize their son has Down
syndrome (the book also includes a short scientific definition of
it) - his mother cries and his father teaches him how to read and
write before the age of five, in an attempt to avoid any hardships that might come with starting
school; despite their worries, it is apparent that his parents love him and believe in him.
Eventually, Pablo encounters a teacher who also believes in him, and wants to ensure his
education is not limited in any way. As the story unfolds, Pablo realizes he doesn't have a
disability, he just has ​special​ ​abilities​. He soon graduates from high school, and is the first
European with Down syndrome to receive a university degree.

A Time to Run: Stuart and Sam​ written by Nicholson L. (2018).

Clockwise.
For grade levels 6-12: Stuart was born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorder (FASD). Through this chapter book, readers get a glimpse
into the mind of Stuart, as well as his friend named Sam, who suffers
from a dangerous heart condition and can no longer play basketball.
Sam (who Stuart had previously convinced to join the Best Buddies
Program at school - a program designed to help individuals with
intellectual disabilities succeed in the community) then turns his efforts
into helping Stuart make the track-and-field team. Because readers get
a first-person narrative through ordinary story-telling of a character
with FASD, readers are able to get a sense of the disability and
diversity, struggles he faces, traits of FASD that he acquires, and Staurt and Sam’s friendship in
an authentic way.

Born With: Erika and Gianni​ written by Nicholson L. (2016).

Clockwise.
For grade levels 6-12: Written by the same author as above, the book
follows a similar format; the story alternates between the perspectives
of two characters in the Best Buddies Program at school. Erika has
Down syndrome, and her buddy, Gianni, struggles with his sexuality.
They both share similarities in that they love to sing and dance, and
Erika is in the school production of ​Grease.​ Again, it is an authentic
story of acceptance between two individuals, one presenting the mind
of someone who was born with Down syndrome - her thoughts and
feelings, as well as the realities she faces everyday because of it.