Top 5 inclusive children's books for world book day

Get inspired with our top five literary picks for children. Featuring unusual protagonists, superheroes, animals and children with disabilities these books all have different themes and stories with a variety of characters for children to relate to.

From dyslexic and reluctant readers to regular book worms, these inclusive and engaging books will help foster a love of reading.

1 How to Train your dragon by Cressida Cowell

The first on our list is a must for young readers everywhere! Set in a fictional Viking world, follow the adventures of protagonist Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, and his dragon toothless. Together they embark on a string of zany, madcap adventures and children will love the character of Hiccup, a Viking misfit who just doesn't fit in. Can Hiccup save the tribe - and become a Hero?

 2. A different sort of normal by Abigail Balf

 In this warm, important and immensely moving book, writer and illustrator Abigail Balfe charts her experiences of growing up neurodivergent, offering candid and powerful insights into autism. The beautiful true story of one girl's journey growing up autistic - and the challenges she faced in the 'normal' world. If you've ever felt different, out of place, like you don't fit in... this book is for you.

 3. The brilliant world of Tom Gates – by Liz Pichon

Parents of children with dyslexia or reluctant readers will know only too well the struggle they face getting their kids excited about books. Tom Gates author Pichon is dyslexic, like her character Tom and it was her own childhood and experience with dyslexia which has inspired the stories and format of her books. Her engaging books revolutionise storytelling for kids with their brightly coloured covers, creative illustrations and array of fonts throughout. Translated into forty-three different languages worldwide, the books have received several children's book awards for their unique style. A must for reluctant and dyslexic readers!

4. Department of Ability by Dan White

No ordinary graphic comic: The Department of Ability, features five superheroes all with different disabilities, fighting to save the world! Inspired by Dan’s daughter, Emily, who was born with spina bifida Dan is on a mission to challenge disability as growing up, Emily couldn’t see any characters in her comics or TV show who looked like her.

Dan explained that I remember Emily looking up at me with a perplexed look on her face and saying, ‘I think that there aren't any people with wheelchairs on TV because they aren't allowed’, and this made me realize how serious this was. There weren't any characters that represent Emily and children like her and I wanted to change that.”

 5. Odd Dog Out by Rob Biddulph

 It’s a dog’s life in the big city… Come join one busy dog on her journey to find her place in the world,

This heart-warming, brilliant book tells the story of a busy city where everyone is the same, but one colourful character stands out. The odd dog says: “I’m not made like all the rest” and so leaves town in search of somewhere new where she might fit in. She meets another ‘odd dog out’ along the way who makes her see that being different isn’t a bad thing. A gloriously illustrated story about leaving home and finding yourself, from the bestselling and award-winning Rob Biddulph, author of Blown Away and GRRRRR!

Do you have a favourite children’s book that you would like to share? Let us know in the comments below! Maybe it will make it onto our next top five inclusive books list!