"Young people are growing up in a polarised society and amidst major world concerns, from war to climate change ... Our strategy is based on scientific evidence showing that empathy is learnable and that books are a powerful tool to build it." -- EMPATHY LAB
This week marks the beginning of Empathy Day Festival: a ten-day nationwide festival that aims to empower children to learn about empathy and put it into action in their community. (You can find out how to get involved and discover the exciting author programme here!)
Reading stories can be a hugely effective way for children to learn why empathy is so important, encouraging them to put themselves in the shoes of others and helping them to develop essential skills in articulating and sharing their feelings.
To get you started in finding the right book for your young readers, we've gathered 10 of our newest empathy-building reads from across our range in a handy list below.
All our books have a dyslexia-friendly layout, typeface and paperstock so that even more readers can enjoy them. And you can read a chapter sample by following the link for each book.
For younger readers
The Guinea-Pig Party / Written by Holly Webb and illustrated by Rosie Butcher / Ages 5+
Katy has always longed for a pet of her own, so she can't believe her luck when she finds a cute guinea-pig hiding in her mum's vegetable patch! But where has she come from, and will Katy really be able to keep her?
Selected for the 2025 #ReadForEmpathy Collection
Sidney and Carrie Have A Party / Written by Lisa Thompson and illustrated by Jess Rose / Ages 5+
Best friends Carrie and Sidney are really excited about having a joint birthday party! But their friendship is put to the test when they struggle to agree about the invitations, the entertainment or even the kind of cake they'd like. Can the duo learn to compromise in time for their joint birthday party?
Selected for the 2025 #ReadForEmpathy Collection
Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder / Written by Bali Rai and illustrated by Daniel Duncan / Ages 9+
A young Sikh footballer reaches out across the generational divide to help a lonely old man in this uplifting story from acclaimed author Bali Rai.
Selected for the 2025 #ReadForEmpathy Collection
Angel of Grasmere / Written by Tom Palmer with cover artwork by Tom Clohosy Cole / Ages 9+
Tarn grapples with the loss of her brother at Dunkirk as she faces the threat of Nazi invasion in the Cumbrian countryside, in this gripping and moving wartime drama from award-winning author Tom Palmer.
Puloma and the Bear / Written by Jasbinder Bilan and illustrated by Skylar White / Ages 9+
Unwanted and lonely living with her unkind aunt, Puloma ends up running away with the circus. She's relieved to find a place to work, until she discovers the circus's star act – an illegally captive and mistreated sloth bear, named Nyla. Can Puloma help both of them to escape?
Me and My Brian / Written by Helen Rutter and illustrated by Claudia Petrazzi / Ages 9+
What do you do when your own brain becomes your worst enemy? With some help from his grandma, Josh learns to quieten his overactive 'Brian' in this gently humorous look at family and mental health.
For teen readers
Selected for the 2025 #ReadForEmpathy Collection
Northern Soul / Written by Phil Earle / Ages 11+
First love is unforgettable, and poor Marv is about to learn this the hard way - him, and his northern soul ... From award-winning author Phil Earle comes the hilariously agonising account of one teenage boy's disastrous attempts to win the heart of the cool new girl at school.
The Beck / Written by Anthony McGowan / Ages 11+
Kyle and his grandad execute an elaborate plan to save the local beck in this acclaimed environmental tale, packed with Anthony McGowan's signature grit, heart and humour.
Selected for the 2025 #ReadForEmpathy Collection
A Sudden Storm / Written by Bali Rai with cover artwork by Andy Gellenberg and illustrations by David Shephard / Ages 13+
An innocent night out to celebrate a sixteenth birthday turns to tragedy in this powerful story of racial intolerance from award-winning author Bali Rai. Is the life of a good friend and beloved son really worth so little?
Please note that this book contains mature content (with themes of racially motivated violence) and language that some may find offensive.
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Visit the Empathy Lab website to find out more about their work, June's Empathy Festival and more