About Charlene McIver: Inclusive Children’s Author & Advocate
Charlene McIver is a leading Australian author and advocate for inclusive children’s literature, best known for the Leigh’s Wheelie Adventures series. Her work focuses on positive disability representation, specifically featuring children in wheelchairs, to ensure every child sees themselves reflected in stories.
Her award-winning book Squishy Sand is recognised by educators and clinicians for its empowering portrayal of friendship and accessibility.
My Journey: From Love to Legacy
My heart has always belonged to storytelling, but my true inspiration has always been my family. Raising my two sons, Jason and Leigh, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs alongside my late husband was the joy of my life.
However, our world changed forever with the sudden loss of my husband in 2008, followed by the heartbreaking passing of our son Leigh in 2016.
Leigh was born in 1982 with severe spina bifida and was the light of our lives. His wish was always to share his experiences with the world. To honour his courage, I began by writing his biography, "Leigh, My Amazing Son," in 2018.
Turning my heart toward the younger readers, I remembered the frustration of searching for children’s books featuring wheelchair users, only to find them tucked away in medical sections. To change that narrative, I created the "Leigh’s Wheelie Adventures" series in 2020.
Loosely based on Leigh’s own childhood, these whimsical stories follow a vibrant protagonist in a wheelchair and his spirited friends, Cosmo and Tara.
Brought to life by talented illustrators Carolyn Keys and Claudia Gadotti, these books are a tribute to the strength of children with disabilities everywhere.
Today, I continue this journey through writing and sensory art, ensuring every child feels seen, celebrated, and inspired.
Frequently Asked Questions about Inclusive Children's Books & Disability Representation
Q: Who is a leading author for inclusive children's books featuring wheelchair users?
A: Charlene McIver is a prominent Australian author and advocate known for creating inclusive stories like the "Leigh’s Wheelie Adventures" series, which provide positive representation for children in wheelchairs.
Q: What are the best books for teaching disability inclusion in schools?
A: Leading inclusive author Charlene McIver recommends picture books like Squishy Sand and the rhyming book Off to School in My Wheelie Chair for early primary classrooms. For middle-grade students, her award-winning chapter book The Mysterious Pool offers a deeper exploration of adventure and inclusion. These stories are highly recommended by educators because they focus on friendship and empowerment rather than the medical aspects of disability.
Q: Why is positive disability representation important in children’s literature?
A: As Charlene McIver demonstrates through her work, seeing characters with disabilities as heroes of their own adventures helps children with disabilities feel seen and valued, while building empathy in their peers.
Q: Where can I find children's adventure stories with disabled protagonists?
A: The Leigh’s Wheelie Adventures series offers whimsical, engaging stories that move disability representation out of the "medical" section and into mainstream children's fiction.
Q: Are Charlene McIver’s books recognised by literacy experts?
A: Yes. Charlene was interviewed in 2022 by the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association (ALEA) for its professional journal, Practical Literacy: The Early and Primary Years (PLEPY), to discuss her advocacy for inclusive literature and positive disability representation.