Book Review
A short overview of this book
Included: A book for all children about inclusion, diversity, disability, equality and empathy by Jayneen Sanders is a lovely book for encouraging children to be accepting of children with disabilities.
This is what the Author has to say…
This book introduces the reader to six wonderful kids: Sam, Rishi, Jay, Audrey, Ty and Zara.
The aim of this story is to ensure all kids understand that kids with disability are just like kids everywhere. They love playing games, books, making stuff and being silly. They have things they are good at and things they need to work on. And just like kids everywhere they want to feel safe, loved and included. This book provides the reader with ways they can be more inclusive in their play and encourages the celebration of diversity in all its unique and wonderful forms. Children will come away with a growing understanding that people everywhere have differing abilities, and this only makes the world a more colourful, exciting, diverse and amazing place.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 5 to 9 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Included by Jayneen Sanders from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hakanson, your friendly Sex Ed Rescue expert. Today, I want to talk to you about a fantastic book called Included. This book is all about inclusion, diversity, disability, equality, and empathy, and it’s written by the amazing Janine Sanders.
Let me tell you, this book is a gem. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, thanks to the talented artist Jay. It starts off by reminding us that the world is made up of all kinds of people. We all have different hair colors, skin colors, and our bodies and brains work differently too. And you know what? That’s totally okay!
The book introduces us to six incredible kids with different disabilities. It shows us that despite their disabilities, they’re just like any other kids. They love playing games, reading books, making stuff, and being silly. They have things they’re good at and things they’re still working on, just like you and me.
We meet Sam, who has cerebral palsy. The book explains what that means and highlights all the amazing things Sam can do, as well as the areas where Sam might need some help. Then there’s Rishi, who is autistic. It’s great that the book talks about consent, body boundaries, and asking for permission. Sometimes Rishi might not feel like playing, and that’s okay. We can still include Rishi and respect their boundaries.
Next up is J, who is deaf. The book explains how J communicates and gets around, and it shares the things that J is good at and the areas where J might need some assistance. And then we have Audrey, who has Down syndrome. The book explains what that means and highlights the things that Audrey loves to do, as well as the areas where Audrey might need some support.
Ty has ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The book focuses on the hyperactivity part and talks about how it can be challenging for Ty to sit still in the classroom. It helps kids understand what it’s like to be Ty and the different strategies Ty uses to cope. Mindfulness is also discussed, which is pretty cool.
Lastly, we meet Zara, who was born without legs below their knees. But guess what? That doesn’t stop Zara from doing anything! The book shows us that Zara can still go out and do all the things they love. It’s a powerful message of resilience and determination.
The book wraps up by reminding us that being different is totally okay. We’re all unique in our own special way. But you know what? We’re also the same. Kids with disabilities are just like you and me. They have dreams, hopes, and they want to feel safe, loved, and respected. They want to feel included because everyone, everywhere, wants to belong.
And hey, at the end of the book, there are some discussion questions and notes that can help you expand the conversation with your child. It’s a great way to keep the dialogue going.
I absolutely love this book, and I think it’s a wonderful tool for teaching empathy, inclusion, and acceptance to children. It’s important for kids to grow up understanding that everyone is different, and that’s something to celebrate. So go ahead and grab a copy of Included for your little ones. Cheers!
