2020 Read For Empathy Guide - Books to build empathy - for children aged 4-11 #ReadForEmpathy
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Official book supplier
Read stories. Build empathy. Make a better world.
2020 Read For Empathy Guide
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 our ability to understand and share someone
else’s feelings. It is an essential life skill, crucial if
How does empathy
Feeling
children and communities are to thrive. work? Where we resonate with
We’re not born with a fixed quantity of empathy – it’s a other people’s emotions
skill we can learn. Excitingly, research shows that books Empathy is made up of
are a powerful tool to develop it, because in identifying three main elements. Acting
with book characters, children learn to see things from Where we are inspired
to help others, having
other points of view. As they read, they are building experienced what
their empathy skills. they’re feeling Thinking
Where we use reason and
imagination to work out
how someone else feels
The 2020 Read for Empathy collection
An expert panel has chosen thirty-three fantastic books for children aged
4–11. Each one does a specific empathy-building job, such as developing
new perspectives or recognition of emotions. They offer powerful insights
into different ways of life and what it might feel like to be a refugee, or
homeless. Please use them to inspire children to turn feelings of empathy
into action – in their homes, schools and communities.
This guide is brought to you by EmpathyLab, in partnership with specialist
children’s book supplier Peters. You can use it all year round, and it will be
especially useful in the run up to Empathy Day on 9 June 2020. Please join in!
Register for updates at www.empathylab.uk and follow @EmpathyLabUK.
Picture books and poetry Keep an
eye on
Fourteen superb picture books and two poetry collections, perfect for
www.empathylab.uk
reading and discussing with children aged 4–11. We have used this symbol*
for extra
where they are best suited to older children. We believe no child is ever too
old for a great picture book. resources
Julian Is a Mermaid Lubna and Pebble Super Duper You
Jessica Love Wendy Meddour Sophy Henn
Pure joy! A story about the power of Illustrator Daniel Egnéus A brother writes funny, quirky
acceptance, as Julian’s grandmother messages to his younger
affirms his right to be different. A deep, emotional story about sister about what makes her
Creates a space to talk about what life in a refugee camp, and unique, and multi-faceted.
characters are really thinking, but how human connection can Brilliant for sparking close,
not saying. bring comfort, even in extreme creative observation of other
circumstances. people and how they work.
Walker Books
Oxford University Press Puffin
Polonius the Pit Pony The Rabbit Listened The Truth About
Richard O’Neill Cori Doerrfeld Old People
Illustrator Feronia Parker Thomas Being able to listen really well is a Elina Ellis
A sweet story about a brave little key aspect of empathy. This lovely A celebration of empathy
pony who saves the day when fog book perfectly explains how not to for the elderly. A superbly
threatens the livelihood of a listen, and how nourishing it can be comic book which challenges
Traveller family. A rare, positive when someone tunes in 100%. Finally stereotypes and encourages
chance to understand this Taylor feels understood, after his young people to shift their
community. tower of bricks is knocked down. perceptions of older people.
Scallywag Press
Child’s Play Two Hoots
When Sadness Comes All About Feelings It’s a No-Money Day
to Call Felicity Brooks and Kate Milner
Eva Eland Frankie Allen It is a painful reality that
Being able to recognise, name families are having to use food
Illustrator Mar Ferrero banks and cope with poverty.
and share emotions is a key
empathy skill. This lovely book A great starting point to talk about This book deals with the subject
personifies sadness, and gently feelings, why we have them and how we sensitively and without stigma.
walks the reader through how it express them. Informative, well-illustrated Barrington Stoke
feels. A reminder that sadness is non-fiction book with useful prompts for
not to be feared. activities and reflection. Especially useful
for supporting children finding it difficult
Andersen Press to understand emotions.
Usborne Publishing
Picture books and poetry continued
POETRY
The Noisy Classroom Hopscotch in the Sky
Ieva Flamingo Lucinda Jacob
Illustrator Vivianna Maria Staņislavska Illustrator Lauren O’Neill
Translators Žanete Vēvere Pasqualini, A magical poetic journey
through the seasons of the
Sara Smith, Richard O’Brien year. With wonderful insights
These poems from Latvia explore the
into the depths of a child’s
feelings of children in the noisiest class in
experience of school, the
the school. Beautifully explores struggles
natural world, friendship
with homework, the impact of technology
and family.
and just trying to fit in. Includes great
poetry prompts at the back to inspire Little Island
empathy-focused writing.
The Emma Press
I Do Not Like Books Mum’s Jumper The Steves
Anymore! Jayde Perkin Morag Hood
Daisy Hirst A wonderful, tear-jerking Two absurdly competitive
So many children experience book about grief and eventual puffins (both called Steve)
frustration with learning to read. A recovery, with a message that vie to be the best. Having
hilarious book, in which despairing lingers. Helps both adults endlessly put each other
Natalie finally gets there. Added and children understand the down, they finally get some
bonus of superbly illustrated facial experience of any child who perspective and realise how
expressions, useful for helping has lost a parent. silly they’re being towards
children recognise emotions. Book Island each other. Great for
discussion.
Walker Books
Two Hoots
Ravi’s Roar No Longer Alone
Tom Percival Joseph Coelho
Ravi’s anger makes him feel like Illustrator Robyn Wilson-Owen
a roaring tiger. This beautifully
illustrated book offers a creative Sensitive exploration of the whirlwind
way to explore how unaddressed of emotions that can come with grief.
anger can build up and the impact Highlights the healing power of a
this can have on relationships and good listener and the importance of
social dynamics. allowing space and time. Touching,
subtle, heartwarming.
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Egmont Books
Novels and graphic novels Keep an
Fifteen superb stories and two graphic novels to help children immerse themselves in other eye on
people’s lives. Perfect for 7–11 year olds. This symbol* denotes books which are demanding www.empathylab.uk
reads, suitable for emotionally mature readers. Please read them in order to decide which for extra
children they are appropriate for. resources
GRAPHIC NOVELS
The Last Human
Remy Lai Me and Mrs Moon Lee Bacon
Pie in the Sky Helen Bate A page-turner, in which robots have
Terrific graphic novel about A child struggles to cope with her eliminated humans (or think they have)
Jingwen, and the issues he feelings as she faces the challenge of because they were destroying Earth. But
faces in moving to a new caring for a much-loved neighbour in the there’s one remaining – a girl called Emma –
country where he doesn’t early stages of Alzheimer’s. Love and who slowly connects with robot XR-035. Great
speak the language. hope shine through this book which has stimulus for discussing what makes us human
an unusual graphic/comic format. and how to read and express emotions.
Walker Books
Otter-Barry Books Piccadilly Press
Ghost* Check Mates Two Sides
Jason Reynolds Stewart Foster Polly Ho-Yen
Research shows that identifying with A troubled boy and his grieving Illustrator Binny Talib
strong book characters builds real-life grandfather find a shared passion
empathy. Look no further than Ghost (real in chess. The game becomes the Lovely book for younger readers about a
name Castle Cranshaw) who accidently medium through which they learn to broken friendship, and the stubbornness
joins the track team after his father is understand each other and find their that gets in the way of mending things.
imprisoned for trying to murder him and own confidence, focus and peace. The warring girls’ two viewpoints are
his mother. Raw and real, but an ultimately This is a tender read about love, deftly handled and there’s lots of scope for
uplifting tale of hope and renewal. understanding and compassion. exploring emotions, including through the
facial expressions in the excellent illustrations.
Knights Of Simon & Schuster Children’s Books
Stripes Publishing
Planet Omar: Accidental The Closest Thing to Flying Race to the Frozen North
Trouble Magnet Gill Lewis Catherine Johnson
Zanib Mian When she discovers a diary written Illustrator Katie Hickey
a hundred years ago, Semira finds
Illustrator Nasaya Mafaridik the friend she desperately needs. An Wonderfully well-researched book about an
Great to see a bold, engaging Muslim character amazing story treating oppression important black explorer who was written
featuring in this hilarious but poignant as a truly universal issue, with out of history. Matthew Henson was the first
exploration of Omar’s world. Seeing things hard-hitting insights into victims’ American to reach the North Pole, and this is his
through his eyes brings real insight into the experiences of people-trafficking and life story. Great for building children’s empathy
ridiculous, hurtful and almost casual prejudice domestic violence. Gorgeous writing. for those experiencing blind prejudice.
some people face, and the impact it has. Oxford University Press Barrington Stoke
Hodder Children’s Books
Novels and graphic novels continued
Cloud Boy Charlie Changes No Ballet Shoes in Syria
Marcia Williams Into a Chicken Catherine Bruton
An emotional read in an engaging Sam Copeland Aya has recently arrived, traumatised,
diary format. Beautifully depicts what from Syria. Gradually, through ballet
happens to best friends Harry and Illustrator Sarah Horne and friendship, she begins to see she
Angie (‘almost twins’) when Harry’s Every time Charlie is stressed might be able to feel at home in Britain.
headaches won’t go away. Interspersed or worried, he changes into an The strong central character shows us a
with a relative’s letters from Changi animal, with hugely inconvenient fresh perspective on the refugee crisis,
prison in the Second World War. A love consequences. Highly enjoyable, focusing on the problems faced once
letter to what has been lost, and a laugh-out-loud read – an easy way people arrive.
celebration of life. to open up an exploration of what Nosy Crow
Walker Books anxiety feels like.
Puffin
Captain Rosalie* Owen and the Soldier The Afterwards*
Timothée de Fombelle Lisa Thompson A.F. Harrold
Illustrator Isabelle Arsenault Illustrator Mike Lowery Illustrator Emily Gravett
Translator Sam Gordon Owen and his mum are alone and Ember and Ness are best friends and then
A heart-wrenching book about five-year-old struggling. Then he finds a stone Ness dies, suddenly and shockingly. In a
Rosalie whose father is on the front line in the soldier, part of an old war memorial, dark, wonderfully written comic fantasy,
First World War, and whose mother is trying to share his feelings with, and has we live Ember’s grief and her desperate
to protect her from the sadness of its impact. to find the courage to fight for the steps to get Ness back from the
A harsh, superbly told story for older readers, soldier’s survival. A small book, but Afterworld. Thoughtful and evocative.
translated from French. Builds empathy for big with skilful storytelling. Bloomsbury Children’s Books
those whose lives are rocked by war. Barrington Stoke
Walker Books
Flight The Great Telephone Mix-Up
Vanessa Harbour Sally Nicholls
A nail-biting adventure about children Illustrator Sheena Dempsey
who manage to save Lipizzaner horses
in the Second World War. Gripping, A clever early reader about the effect on
and excellent for exploring and a village when the telephone service gets
understanding relationships (and scrambled. Everyone is suddenly forced to
history), with strong characters. get closer – taking messages, understanding
each other’s needs. Great for a social action
Firefly Press perspective and how empathy connects people.
Barrington Stoke
Top tips
Help recognise feelings You can help children understand their own and other people’s feelings by using
lots of different emotion words when discussing stories.
Talk about characters Instead of discussing what might happen next, focus on the characters – what are they
afraid of? What might they do next? Which was most interesting? This builds understanding of what drives other people.
Don’t forget the pictures Illustrations are especially good for ‘reading’ other people – can you tell from the picture
how the character feels?
Share diverse books try to connect children to stories set in other countries and with characters of different races,
religions and experiences. Inspire them to imagine life for people in different situations from their own.
Listen Sometimes we need time to process our thoughts. Listen carefully as children explore what they’ve learnt about
other people. Ask in the days following too – new ideas can emerge over time.
Take it further Has a book made children see the world differently? Do they feel inspired to do something to help others?
Can you act on this as a community, or a family?
EMPATHY DAY 9 JUNE 2020 – GET INVOLVED!
READ CONNECT ACT
Find and start an Practice listening 100%, Put empathy into action. Make
empathy-boosting book especially to someone you don’t an Empathy Resolution – special
know well. Use our Empathy cards available in March 2020
Switch exercise
For great ideas, use Link up – share your favourite Teachers, librarians, community
#ReadforEmpathy and our empathy reads using leaders: be empathy evangelists!
Guides www.empathylab.uk/ #ReadForEmpathy Come on our training; use our
read-for-empathy-guide Empathy Day toolkits
Check out your local library’s Watch The Empathy Conversation Talk to everyone about the
empathy books and activities with Children’s Laureate Cressida importance of empathy. Sign
Cowell. Happening 9 June up for updates at
www.empathylab.uk
Go to www.empathylab.uk @EmpathyLabUK to find
out more, and be sure to share your #ReadForEmpathy
recommendations on the day!
Read stories. Build empathy. Make a better world.
Empathy is a beacon of hope.
Join our 2020 programme
EmpathyLab offers training and Empathy Day toolkits for schools, libraries and early years
providers interested in building young people’s empathy, literacy and social activism.
To find out more, go to www.empathylab.uk
For training enquiries contact miranda@empathylab.uk
How to order the books in this Guide
To buy the Read For Empathy book collection, please contact your local independent bookshop or
Peters, and explore how you can develop empathy through the power of books. Primary schools
buying the collection also receive a free EmpathyLab resource containing four assembly outlines.
• Independent booksellers: find your local shop here www.booksellers.org.uk/bookshopsearch
to see if they are involved in Empathy Day
• Peters: Visit www.peters.co.uk/empathy2020. If you have any queries do not hesitate to contact
Peters on 0121 666 6646 or email empathy@peters.co.uk
Thank you to everyone who has helped with this Guide
• Selection Panel: Jon Biddle, Farrah Serroukh, Paul Harris, Sonia Thompson, Richard Charlesworth,
Nicolette Jones, Christophere Fila, Dawn Woods, Sarah Smith, Jonathan Greenbank, Sarah Mears
• Our partners at Peters and the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education
• Publicity: Fritha Lindqvist
• Leaflet editing: Talya Baker
• Read For Empathy illustrators: Tom Percival; Tom McLaughlin; Emily Gravett; Isabelle Follath;
Official book supplier
Rob Biddulph
• Print: Penguin Random House
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