2019 Read for Empathy Guide - 30 books to build empathy - for children aged 4-11 #ReadForEmpathy
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Official book supplier
Read stories. Build empathy. Make a better world.
2019 Read for Empathy Guide
30 books to build empathy – for children aged 4–11
#ReadForEmpathy
How does Novels, poetry,
empathy work? Picture books graphic novels Top tips
Read stories. Build empathy. Make a better world.
Empathy is a human super-power which helps us all
understand each other better. It is also an essential social and
emotional skill, crucial if children are to thrive.
We’re not born with a fixed quantity of empathy – it’s a skill
we can learn. Excitingly, research shows that books are a
powerful tool to develop it, because in identifying with book
characters, children learn to see things from other points
of view. So when you read with children you can build their
empathy skills at the same time.
How does empathy work?
Empathy is made up of
three main elements.
Feeling
Where we resonate with
other people’s emotions
The 2019 Read for Empathy Guide
An expert panel has chosen these thirty fantastic books for 4–11 year olds,
Acting excellent for building children’s empathy. They offer powerful insights into
Where we are inspired other people’s feelings, and develop understanding of different ways of life
to help others, having and issues people face, such as being bereaved, or becoming a refugee. We
experienced what
they’re feeling Thinking hope they will inspire children to turn feelings of empathy into action – in
Where we use reason and their homes, schools and communities.
imagination to work out
how someone else feels The guide is brought to you by EmpathyLab, in partnership with book
supplier Peters. You can use it all year round, and it will be especially useful
in the run up to Empathy Day on 11 June 2019. Please join in! Register for
updates at www.empathylab.uk.
Picture books and poetry Keep an
eye on
Picture books can powerfully inspire empathy through their special interplay
www.empathylab.uk
of words and illustrations. This selection is perfect for 4–11 year olds, and
for extra
we’ve used this symbol* where they are best suited to older children. We
believe no child is ever too old for a great picture book. resources
EMPATHY CLASSIC The Last Chip Odd Dog Out
Elmer Duncan Beedie Rob Biddulph
David McKee A hungry pigeon is denied food
by bigger, bullying birds. Lovely,
A scarf-wearing dachshund feels
uncomfortably different. A fun
Elmer is struggling to be like all the unexpected ending when a homeless book for helping children explore
other elephants, until they show person comes to the rescue. A the absurdity of ‘in’ and ‘out’
him it’s his difference that they love. delightful, non-didactic book, great groups.
Great for helping children see how for perspective-taking and insight
to step into someone else’s shoes. HarperCollins Children’s Books
into others’ lives.
Andersen Press Templar Publishing
Joy If All the World Were... The Day War Came*
Corrinne Averiss Joseph Coelho Nicola Davies
Illustrator Isabelle Follath Illustrator Allison Colpoys Illustrator Rebecca Cobb
Fern is troubled by how sad her A hugely imaginative exploration War closes doors to refugee children.
granny seems and is working out of a girl’s feelings as she comes to Davies’s wonderful storytelling opens
how to capture and pass on ‘joy’. terms with her grandad’s death. A up powerful insights into how it feels to
Great for talking about emotions and gentle springboard to help children be escaping from conflict zones.
really grasping what someone else understand their own and others’ Provokes solidarity, action and tears.
needs. experience of loss. Walker Books
words & pictures Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Is it a Mermaid? Cyril and Pat Sweep
Candy Gourlay Emily Gravett Louise Greig
Illustrator Francesca Chessa Can a rat and squirrel be friends? Illustrator Júlia Sardà
Two children try hard to be tactful The park’s creatures think not. Ed is swept up in a very angry mood and
when a sea cow becomes convinced Cyril and Pat’s closeness wobbles, just can’t let it go. A creative, playful
it’s really a mermaid. Hilarious, but connection prevails. Combats story encouraging the recognition and
tender, deep. Perfect for talking divisions caused by prejudice about
processing of emotions.
about different perspectives. being different.
Egmont Books
Two Hoots
Otter-Barry Books
Picture books and poetry continued
Along Came a Different Ruby’s Worry A Great Big Cuddle
Tom McLaughlin Tom Percival Michael Rosen
The reds, blues and yellows can’t Sensitively illustrated book Illustrator Chris Riddell
get along. A zany, light-hearted look about untamed worries taking
at how to deal with discrimination. on monstrous proportions. Gives Lovely collection of poems inspiring
Very cleverly builds children’s ability children a language and metaphor reflection on emotions and our need
to see different perspectives, a skill to talk about their own and other for affection, compassion and above
fundamental to empathy. people’s anxieties. all empathic connection.
Bloomsbury Children’s Books Bloomsbury Children’s Books Walker Books
Me and My Fear* How to be a Lion*
Francesca Sanna Ed Vere
A thought-provoking visual A gentle lion is friends with a duck,
personification of a girl’s feeling of and no one approves. A magical
fear, which magnifies when she’s in book, delving into how we can all be
a strange country. Helps children truly ourselves, and, from that basis,
understand how profoundly fear relate well to others.
can lead to isolation and anger. Puffin
Flying Eye Books
Peace and Me*
Ali Winter 'If other people, who maybe aren’t so nice, read some of
Illustrator Mickaël El Fathi
Beautifully illustrated non-fiction these books, they would change the way that they acted.
book about Nobel Peace Prize
Laureates who used empathy to They would think more and maybe understand more.'
imagine how life could be different
in their communities and acted Romy, age 10
dynamically to improve things.
Lantana Publishing
Novels and graphic novels
Fourteen superb stories and a graphic novel to help children immerse themselves in other people’s lives.
Perfect for 7–11 year olds, with this symbol* showing those suitable for the top of this age range.
The symbol** denotes books which are demanding, often emotional reads, suitable for emotionally mature
readers. Please read them to decide which children they are appropriate for.
EMPATHY CLASSIC The Tale of Angelino Brown
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane David Almond
Kate DiCamillo Illustrator Alex T. Smith
Edward is a rabbit with a cold heart which gradually melts Angelino is a tiny giggling boy angel
as he experiences the kindness of strangers and realises who overcomes evil plotters. About
what it means to feel loved. Extraordinary writing. how caring for each other makes
Walker Books people happy. A deceptively easy
read with a heart of gold.
Walker Books
Not As We Know It Jelly* The Bubble Boy**
Tom Avery Jo Cotterill Stewart Foster
Illustrator Kate McKendrick Grove Jelly is funny and loud, but hurting Joe must live in a bubble in hospital;
Jamie is facing the loss of Ned, his sick inside, especially about her weight. Amir plots to spring him. Illuminating
twin, in a whirlwind of love, jealousy, We see the real person through insights into the feelings of children
fear, acceptance. Unusual, honest book her poetry, learning and caring as with incurable illnesses, a great cast
with magical qualities and a merman we read. of characters and hilarious, hopeful
Piccadilly Press moments.
playing a starring role.
Simon & Schuster
Andersen Press
Ella on the Outside Love from Anna Hibiscus!
Cath Howe Atinuke
Ella has no friends and her dad is Illustrator Lauren Tobia Keep an
in prison. Gradually, painfully, she eye on
finds a friend in Molly. Immensely Young Anna is a life force, intent on making a
readable way of understanding difference in her African community. Sensitive www.empathylab.uk
handling of unthinking attitudes to inequality
the feelings of children in troubled
and full of insights into lives lived very
for extra
circumstances.
differently. Seriously lovely stories. resources
Nosy Crow
Walker Books
Novels and graphic novels continued
Beyond the Bright Sea Boy in the Tower Roller Girl
Lauren Wolk Polly Ho-Yen Victoria Jamieson
A child rejected by fears of disease, Tough, rollicking sci-fi adventure Feelings-packed graphic novel about
longing to find her family. A man who as a tiny, surviving tower-block Astrid taking on the challenge of
needs to love. Powerful historical community battles the murderous roller-skate derbys. Fun, easy read as
novel, with feisty characters whose Bluchers. Strong central character you journey with her through life’s
clear voices open up our experience who engages and expands the mistakes and difficult choices. Great
of fear and family love. reader’s emotions. Really sticks in on relationships.
Corgi Books the mind. Puffin
Corgi Books
The White Fox The Boy at the Back The Distance Between Me
Jackie Morris of the Class and the Cherry Tree
Sol is disconnected from his Inuit Onjali Q. Raúf Paola Peretti
roots after his mother dies. Then a
white fox is lost in Seattle’s dockland, Illustrator Pippa Curnick Translator Denise Muir, illustrator
and together they find their way Three charming, warm-hearted children Carolina Rabei
back home. Mysterious, lyrical, with go on a crazy adventure as they try to A mystical, semi-autobiographical
beautifully drawn feelings. reunite refugee Ahmet with his family. novel about a girl who is going blind.
Conkers, Barrington Stoke Powerfully shows how empathy can Well developed characters, including
inspire action. the boy who becomes her friend.
Orion Children’s Books Poignant, moving.
Hot Key Books
The Light Jar* The Fox Girl and the
Lisa Thompson White Gazelle**
Nate and his mum escape Victoria Williamson
domestic abuse but then she
disappears. Exciting story which
Two lonely, alienated girls – a Syrian 'Empathy is a quality of
refugee and an angry young carer –
builds understanding of human
psychology as Nate’s imaginary
unexpectedly make friends when faced character that can change
by the challenge of saving local foxes.
friend comes to his aid. Lots of emotional insights. the world'
Scholastic Kelpies, Floris Books
Barack Obama
Top tips
Family sharing Sharing books as a family builds empathy, especially when you choose books which help children
understand different lives. Try watching https://vimeo.com/267653786
Empathy in action Research shows that empathy plays a big role in our hunger for social justice. Look for
books with themes that inspire children to become social activists.
Focus on characters Try focusing on the characters more than the plot. Ask gentle questions about the
characters’ feelings.
Take reflective time Try to give children reflective time – listen carefully as they explore what they’ve
learnt from the book, about themselves and other people.
Ask great questions Ask questions that open up a deep dialogue and treat children as equals –
‘Which character interested you most?’ ‘How do you think the character felt?’
Help recognise feelings Help children recognise and name feelings. As you talk, pick up on new words and share what they
mean, e.g. “I’m wondering how Cyril felt when he had to play alone without Pat?” (Cyril and Pat, by Emily Gravett)
EMPATHY DAY, 11 JUNE 2019 – READ STORIES. BUILD EMPATHY. MAKE A BETTER WORLD.
Empathy Day is all about helping us understand each How to get involved
other better, the day to take new steps on our empathy journey…
READ CONNECT DO
• Have a new conversation about harnessing empathy’s power It builds real-life empathy Join the Empathy Conversation Put empathy into action
to build a better world Find and share Snap up tickets to Make an Empathy
empathy-boosting books – The Empathy Conversation, Resolution – special cards
• Step out of our bubble and make new connections with each other use #ReadForEmpathy Waterstone’s Piccadilly: available in March
203-206 Piccadilly, London
• Celebrate a dynamic new wave of empathy work, in our schools W1V 9LW, 7 p.m. on Empathy
and libraries Day, 11 June 2019
Use our Read For Empathy Use #EmpathyDay to Teachers: sign up; use our
On Empathy Day we want everyone to… Guides for young people share which social issues training, booklists, Empathy
http://www.empathylab.uk/ need more empathy Day packs
• Read: because stories and book characters build our real-life empathy read-for-empathy-guide
• Connect: make new connections with people, inspired by sharing stories Check out your library’s Meet someone different Librarians: sign up; pilot
empathy books and activities at libraries’ Empathy the Empathy Conversation
• Do: put empathy into action, in your home and your community Conversation events events
Follow the special author blog Make a giant workplace Buy the complete Read For
Go to www.empathylab.uk @EmpathyLabUK to find out more, and tour; listen to their Empathy Wall – share ideas Empathy book collection for
podcasts at for changing things 26% off: www.peters.co.uk/
be sure to share your #ReadForEmpathy recommendations on the day! www.empathylab.uk empathy2019
Read stories. Build empathy. Make a better world. Empathy is a beacon of hope in a divided world: join our 2019 programme EmpathyLab now offers training and Empathy Day toolkits for schools and libraries interested in building young people’s empathy, literacy and social activism. To find out more, go to www.empathylab.uk. For specific training enquiries, contact miranda@empathylab.uk How to order the books in this guide Order the Read For Empathy book collection at www.peters.co.uk/empathy2019 and enjoy 26% off plus a free display poster. If you have any queries do not hesitate to contact us on 0121 666 6646 or email empathy@peters.co.uk Thank you to everyone who has helped with this Guide • Selection Panel: Jon Biddle, Aimee Felone, Paul Harris, Nicolette Jones, Nicky Parker, Sarah Mears, Farrah Serroukh • Our partners at Peters and the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education • Publicity: Fritha Lindqvist • Leaflet editing: Talya Baker • Print: Penguin Random House Official book supplier
You can also read
