Abby Can...Play!

A heartwarming children’s book that highlights inclusion, friendship, and the beauty of differences through the eyes of Abby, a little girl with Down syndrome who loves to play, explore, and shine.

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Cover of the children’s book “Abby Can…Play!” showing a young girl with brown hair joyfully swinging from a tree branch under a night sky with stars and a full moon. She is surrounded by grass, bushes, and butterflies. The title reads “Abby Can…Play! A story about inclusion” with the author’s name, Lisa Molina, below.
A young child with shoulder‑length brown hair plays a piano in a cozy room at night. The child is smiling and singing into a microphone on a stand, wearing a purple shirt, yellow shorts, and purple socks. The room includes a large armchair, a window showing a starry night sky with a full moon, a bookshelf with toys and books, a floor lamp, and framed pictures on the wall, creating a warm and cheerful atmosphere.

Meet Abby

Abby is a joyful, curious little girl who sees the world with wonder and excitement. She loves to play, explore, and discover new things, reminding everyone around her how beautiful childhood can be. With her bright spirit and big heart, Abby shows that every child has something special to share.

Why This Book Matters

Four children sit together on a colorful checkered blanket in a park, smiling and playing with dolls. The scene includes green grass, trees, a wooden bench, and a slide under a bright blue sky with fluffy clouds. Additional dolls are placed on the blanket, creating a cheerful moment of friendship and outdoor play.

Teaches Inclusion

Inclusion means creating spaces where every child feels welcome, valued, and able to participate fully, no matter their abilities. It’s about making sure every child has a place in the story, in the classroom, and in the world around them.

A young child with straight dark hair sits barefoot on a beige sofa in a cozy living room, smiling while playing an acoustic guitar. The sofa is decorated with green and beige cushions and a green throw blanket. Behind the child is a wooden bookshelf filled with books and a lit floor lamp. A small plant and a few closed books rest on a wooden coffee table in the foreground, with framed pictures hanging on the wall in the background.

Positive Representation

Representation helps children see themselves and others reflected in the books they read. When kids encounter characters with different abilities, backgrounds, and experiences, it builds empathy, understanding, and a sense of belonging.

Five young children sit around a wooden table in a bright classroom or library, each reading a colorful book. Bookshelves, educational posters, and large windows fill the background, creating a warm, inviting learning environment.

Down syndrome

Down syndrome awareness teaches children that having Down syndrome is simply one part of who a person is, not the whole story. By showing Abby as joyful, capable, and full of personality, the book helps young readers understand that kids with Down syndrome can play, learn, and shine just like anyone else.

Who This Book Helps

For Parents: A comforting, uplifting story that helps children understand and appreciate differences

For Teachers: A classroom‑ready resource for building inclusive communities and supporting social‑emotional learning.

For Therapists & Specialists:
A positive representation of a child with Down syndrome that supports identity, confidence, and connection

A joyful family at a sunny playground: a young girl laughing on a swing, a woman smiling beside her, a man pushing a pink stroller with a baby, and an older boy standing near the slide.

Reviews & Praise

A cheerful young girl with brown hair, wearing a blue shirt and red pants, jumps high in the air above a large trampoline in a sunny backyard with a wooden fence.

Sweet book about what Abby CAN do!

5 out of 5 Stars

Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2022

Such a well written and easy to read book about a young girl, Abby, who has Down syndrome! Such a good book to bring into the classroom to read to other children who may not understand about Down syndrome. I love that Abby likes to perform. She must be very brave.

- Calitwin

Incredible Book About Inclusion Written by a School Teacher!

5 out of 5 Stars

Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2024

The world NEEDED this children’s book about a precious little girl with Down syndrome who can do oh so many things! My sons actually think Abby is a superhero. We talk about Abby all of the time in our house. I say “Abby can make her bed…can you?” This motivates them to do new things! It is such a wonderful story of inclusion and an important reminder to all parents to educate our children about the incredible nature of the special needs kids that they will have the privilege to encounter through the years.

- Tiffany Creates

Abby Is A Beautiful Soul!

5 out of 5 Stars

Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2022

This book is written with love and hope! Many children are unsure how to approach another child who has differences...this is a beautiful book which helps children and adults alike to understand that people with disabilities have a lot more in common with others than we might think!
- A. McCullah

Abby Is A Beautiful Soul!

5 out of 5 Stars

Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2022

Abby can...Play is a wonderful book about a down syndrome girl who has the ability to play like other children. This gem is well written and has beautiful and colorful illustrations. It's a great book and look forward to seeing more books in the future.

- John

Ready to bring Abby’s story into your home or classroom?

A young girl in a purple shirt and yellow pants stands in a cozy, moonlit bedroom. She is holding up a children's book titled "Abby Can...Play! A story about inclusion," which features a cover illustration of a girl on a swing.

Let’s celebrate every child’s ability to shine.

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