Children's book about the social model of disability from award-winning creators of Come Over to My House

Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing is thrilled to announce it will publish the second picture book from award-winning creators Eliza Hull, Australian Children’s Laureate Sally Rippin, and illustrator Daniel Gray-Barnett in May 2025. Their new book, The World We Can Build, follows two children – one of whom uses a wheelchair – who discover there’s no place in their neighbourhood where they can play together.

The creative trio's first picture book, Come Over to My House, is the best-selling Australian picture book about disability of the last decade, and has also been published in the US, UK and Korea. It won the inaugural DANZ Award (Diversity in Australian and New Zealand) for its portrayal of the home lives of Deaf and disabled children and their parents, and was shortlisted for Picture Book of the Year in the prestigious CBCA Awards (Children’s Book Council of Australia).

Their new children’s book, The World We Can Build, will publish in Australia in May 2025. It was inspired by the social model of disability, which shows that people are disabled by the world around them, not by their own bodies.

“As a kid, when I was using a wheelchair, I felt more disabled when there were stairs or a classroom I couldn’t get into," said author Eliza, an award-winning musician, writer and disability advocate. “When I discovered the social model of disability as an adult, it was a real 'aha' moment. It made me realise that the world is disabling, and that I don’t need to change.”

The social model of disability enables families and educators to understand that it’s the world that needs to change, not the person. “It focuses on the barriers the world creates and shows children that we can all do our part to make the world more accessible,” said Eliza. “When we do, people with disability feel more included.”

“The mixed response to Hugh van Cuylenberg’s recent open letter on parenting neurodivergent children proves the need to educate Australian families about the social model of disability,” says Publishing Director Marisa Pintado. “The World We Can Build is not just an entertaining picture book for children and their parents, caregivers and educators – it’s also a brilliant resource for showing kids that we can all can help build a more compassionate and inclusive world together.”

Co-author Sally Rippin agrees. “As the current Australian Children’s Laureate, my mission statement has been All Kids Can Be Readers. I am passionate about promoting learning environments that are inclusive and supportive and ensuring that all children can have access to education that meets their needs. It’s been heartening to witness the development of a genuine curiosity and interest in how we can all work harder to create a world where all kids can reach their potential. After all, the kids are perfect as they are. It’s the world that needs to change.”

The World We Can Build will release into all Australian bookshops on 29 April 2025, and is available for pre-order now.