Read For Empathy Guide

Official book supplierRead stories. Build empathy. Make a better world.Read For Empathy Guide30 books to build children’s empathy#ReadforEmpathyHow doesempathy work?Picture booksNovels, poetry,graphic novelsTop tips

Read stories. Build empathy. Make a better world.Empathy is a human super-power which helps us all understand eachother better. It is also an essential social and emotional skill, crucial ifchildren are to thrive.We’re not born with a fixed quantity of empathy – it’s a skill we canlearn. Excitingly, new research shows that books are a powerful tool todevelop it, because in identifying with book characters, children learnto see things from other points of view. So when you read with childrenyou can build their empathy skills at the same time.How does empathy work?Empathy is made up ofthree main elements.FeelingWhere we resonate withother people’s emotionsActingWhere we are inspired tohelp others, havingexperienced whatthey’re feelingThinkingWhere we use reason andimagination to work outhow someone else feelsThe Read ForEmpathy GuideAn expert panel has chosen these thirty fantastic booksfor 4–11-year-olds, excellent for building children’sempathy. They offer powerful insights into otherpeople’s feelings, and develop understanding ofdifferent ways of life and issues people face, like beingbereaved or becoming a refugee. We hope they willinspire children to turn feelings of empathy into action– in their homes, schools and communities.

Picture booksA mixture of books for 4–11-year-olds. No child is ever too old for a greatpicture book, and we’ve used this symbol * where they are best suited toolder children.Lulu Gets a CatAnna McQuinnWilly and the Cloud*Anthony BrowneGrandad’s Island*Benji DaviesExplaining dark moods to a childcan be challenging. Browne usesthe image of a personal cloudhanging over the centralcharacter in this multi-layered,powerful and moving book.A sensitive exploration of theemotions involved in bereavement,and healing. Davies subtly conveysa positive message about letting gowhilst always carrying the lovedone in your heart.Walker BooksSimon & SchusterKing of the Sky*Nicola DaviesHere I Am*Patti KimLeo: a Ghost Story*Mac BarnettA lonely boy in a new country meetsan old man, and they start to sharea passion for racing pigeons. Superbbook, exploring inter-generationalunderstanding and what helpspeople to feel less alone.A powerful wordless picture bookabout the chaotic feelings of aboy coming to a new country, andhow these emotions graduallyease as he experiences kindness.A lonely ghost is glad when a familymoves into his house, but he is rejectedand forced to roam the streets beforefinally finding a true friend. An unusualstory about difference and the value ofhaving an open heart and mind.Illustrator Rosalind BeardshawUnderstanding pets’ feelingsand needs can help childrendevelop their empathy muscles.Lulu learns how to make her newcat feel at home in this gentlydelightful book.Alanna BooksIllustrator Laura CarlinIllustrator Sonia SánchezCurious FoxWalker BooksPerfectly NormanTom PercivalIn this beautifully illustratedstory Norman suddenly findshimself with a pair of wings, andstruggles to accept himself untilother children reveal that theyalso have wings!Bloomsbury Children’s BooksIllustrator Christian RobinsonChronicle BooksThe Parrot and theMerchantMarjan VafaianIn My Heart:A Book of FeelingsJo WitekA Persian merchant loves keepingcolourful birds in cages, but herfavourite talking parrot longs toescape. A lovely story based on aRumi fable, which sparks empathicreflection on how our actions affectother creatures.Illustrator Christine RousseyTiny OwlIn order to understand other people’sfeelings, children need to be able toidentify and articulate their own. Anintriguingly designed book withilluminating descriptions of howdifferent emotions feel, physically.Abrams Appleseed

Picture booksA mixture of books for 4–11-year-olds. No child is ever too old for a greatpicture book, and we’ve used this symbol * where they are best suited toolder children.Colin and Lee,Carrot and PeaMorag HoodYou’re Safe With MeChitra SoundarCan I Join Your Club?John KellyColin is a carrot struggling to fitin with the peas’ games. Sparselywitty illustrations celebrate theirgrowing realisation that theirdifferences don’t have to dividethem.The forest creatures are afraidof the thunder and strong winds,but reassured by a mother figure.Great for exploring relationships,and different perspectives.Duck really needs some new friends butnone of the other animals will let him jointheir club. So he starts one of his own andhe welcomes everyone in. A story thatshows the importance of being open tomaking real connections, not judgments.Illustrator Poonam MistryLantanaTwo HootsIllustrator Steph LaberisLittle Tiger PressMy Name isNot Refugee*Kate Milner15 Things Not to Dowith a GrannyMargaret McAllisterA boy describes his experienceof having to leave his town,asking very direct questions ofthe reader that invite reflectionabout how we would cope in hissituation. Ends with the powerfulmessage that Refugee is just alabel – not a name.Illustrator Holly SterlingBarrington StokeA granny is a wonderful personto have in your life, but never makeassumptions about what granniesdo! A book which will make everyonelaugh whilst getting children thinkingabout their own family members,and what they really need.Frances Lincoln

Novels, poetry, graphic novelsThirteen superb stories, a poetry book and two graphic novels to help children immersethemselves in other people’s lives. Perfect for 7–11-year-olds, with this symbol * showing thosesuitable for the top of this age range.** denotes books which are demanding, often emotional reads, suitable for emotionally maturereaders. Please read them in order to decide which children they are appropriate for.Me and Mister PMaria FarrerThe Road to Ever After*Moira YoungArthur is struggling with conflictingfeelings of jealousy, guilt and love,caused by his brother’s learningdifficulties. Then Mr P (a polar bear)stumbles through the front door andhelps Arthur cope with his emotions.A magical adventure about an unlikelyfriendship between thirteen-yearold Davy, who is homeless, and theelderly Miss Flint. Deeply touching,this is an example of how great writingcreates characters children will careabout – ones that expand theiremotional understanding.Illustrator Daniel RieleyOxford University PressThe No. 1 Car SpotterFights the FactoryAtinukeIllustrator Warwick Johnson CadwellAn African village is overcome with problemscaused by a corrupt developer, but the brilliantOluwalase Babatunde Benson (the No. 1 CarSpotter) saves the day. Lovely insights intodifferent emotions and life challenges.Macmillan Children’s BooksWalker BooksThe Wild RobotPeter BrownTender Earth*Sita BrahmachariBallerina DreamsMichaela and Elaine DePrinceWhat does it mean to be human?That’s the question raised by thistale of a shipwrecked robot. Therobot (Roz) is inadvertentlyactivated and gradually learns tofeel, to care and to love. Theability to feel empathy is at theheart of Roz’s journey.Empathy can motivate peopleto try to make a difference. Inthis sensitive coming-of-agestory, readers experience Laila’sgrowing determination to makea stand against racism in hercommunity. Even small acts ofempathy can change lives.Piccadilly PressMacmillan Children’s BooksSky Dancer*Gill LewisSmart**Kim SlaterSputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth*Frank Cottrell BoyceA great example of how books canhelp children see different people’sperspectives. The characters holddiametrically opposed views aboutwhether to shoot or protectendangered hen harriers on agrouse moor. A superb, upliftingbook.The assumptions we make aboutpeople can inhibit our feelingsof empathy. Kieran, the centralcharacter here, makes no suchjudgments and his genuinecompassion makes a hugedifference to his community.Illustrator Steven LentonMacmillan Children’s BooksSputnik is an alien tasked with writing aguidebook to Earth, who struggles tounderstand how humans work. With hisnew, shy friend Prez, he learns about theplanet’s very best things. Exuberant, wittywriting with a strong emotional core.Macmillan Children’s BooksOxford University PressIllustrator Ella OkstadDon’t be misled by the cover – this is agritty true story of how a Sierra Leoneorphan overcame racism as she followedher ballerina dreams. It opens children’seyes to very different life experiences,and has a message of hope – Michaela isnow a principal ballerina.Faber & Faber

Novels, poetry, graphic novelsThirteen superb stories, a poetry book and two graphic novels to help children immersethemselves in other people’s lives. Perfect for 7–11-year-olds, with this symbol * showing thosesuitable for the top of this age range.** denotes books which are demanding, often emotional reads, suitable for emotionally maturereaders. Please read them in order to decide which children they are appropriate for.The Song fromSomewhere Else*A.F. HarroldIllustrator Levi PinfoldFrancesca (Frank) is bullied butfinds courage through an unlikelyfriendship. A magical story withan ethereal quality, yet firmlyrooted in gritty reality.Overheard in a Tower Block**Joseph CoelhoEl Deafo*Cece BellA powerful poetry collection aboutgrowing up. The agonies of missingan absent dad, the grief of a motherand the stresses of city life touch ouremotions through Coehlo’s potent yetapproachable voice.A moving semi-autobiographical graphicnovel told from the viewpoint of a youngdeaf girl. Thought bubbles and dialoguedraw us into Cece’s world, making it easyto identify with her self-consciousnessand frustration, and with her friends’confused feelings as they struggle to dothe 'right thing'.Illustrator Kate MilnerBloomsbury Children’s BooksOtter-Barry BooksCharlie and Me*Mark LoweryIllegal**Eoin Colfer and Andrew DonkinMartin takes his big-brotherresponsibilities very seriously,and understands Charlie (who hashealth and behaviourial issues)like no one else does. A deeplyaffecting, story, of an epic journeyfrom Preston to Cornwall with anextraordinary twist.Illustrator Giovanni RiganoA young boy makes a terrifying journeyfrom Africa to Europe. Upsetting, importantgraphic novel with illuminating insights intothe experiences of refugees and migrantsand their resilience.Hodder Children’s BooksPiccadilly PressThe Guggenheim MysteryRobin StevensThis gloriously inventive art-theftwhodunit is narrated by Ted Sparks,who is living with autism and hasunusual powers of detection (readThe London Eye Mystery to meet himfor the first time). A lovely depictionof how Ted’s family value him forwho he is.PuffinThe Island at the End ofEverything**Kiran Millwood HargraveAmihan is separated from her mother,who has leprosy, and sent to live in anorphanage on a distant island. A grippingread, with beautifully drawn charactersto help children expand their emotionalunderstanding.Chicken House BooksAmulet Books