40 Children's Books to Inspire Empathy

The second Thursday in June is Empathy Day. Empathy is a special skill you can develop to transform your life, your relationships and the world itself. Books are a great way to encourage and develop empathy and to support this brilliant initiative we have chosen a selection of our favourite books to inspire empathy in young readers.

Grandad's Star by Frances Tosdevin

"A touching story of a child's love for her grandfather and her deep sadness as he begins to forget things." - Julia Eccleshare M.B.E.
Discover how love can reach across galaxies whether stars shine brightly or grow dim. This is the debut of exciting new talent Rhian Stone, longlisted for the Klaus Flugge Prize which recognises the most exciting newcomer to children's picture book illustration. 3+

Big Feelings by Alexandra Penfold & Suzanne Kaufman

Following the success of All Are Welcome, this author/illustrator team have returned with Big Feelings - an uplifting picture book to inspire discussion. I have big feelings. You have them too. How can I help? What can we do? These are big questions about BIG feelings - and a great way for young people to examine their feelings and give them tools to cope with them when things go wrong. There is great emphasis on the importance of working together, understanding one another and accepting differences. BT 3+

Gordon the Meanest Goose on Earth by Alex Latimer

"A laugh-out-loud journey of empathy, courage, and soggy bread." - Julia Eccleshare M.B.E.
This is the first instalment in the highly-illustrated Gordon series perfect for emerging readers. Each book follows Gordon and friends as he changes his mean ways and learns to say sorry. The road to redemption has never been so silly!
Also in the series Gordon Wins It All, Gordon Starts a Band and Gordon in the City 5+

Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise by Adeola Sokunbi

"This illustrated first reader is ideal for helping young children alleviate fears through harnessing the power of the imagination." - Joanne Owen.
This is the first in the Destiny Ink series in which Destiny uses her creativity to overcome her worries and cope with anxiety and new experiences.
Other titles in this "inspirational, fear-allaying" series include: Talent Show Magic, Birthday Secret and Baking Mix-Up. 5+

The Invisible by Tom Percival

The Invisible is a powerful picture book about the effects of poverty, inspired by the author's own experience. Tom Percival said, "The Invisible is a very personal book for me. I grew up in poverty, living in a caravan in rural Shropshire and often felt overlooked and out of place with my jumble-sale clothes and hand-me-down shoes. I’m thrilled that Simon & Schuster are willing to explore topics like this in their picture book list. It’s testament to our shared belief that books can help make the world a better place." And this one certainly does. 3+ 5+ 7+

How to Mend a Friend by Karl Newson and Clara Anagnuzzi

A sincere, and in no way saccharine, picture book that looks at feelings, loss and empathy through a young child's eyes. Karl Newson's text is simple yet carries a profound message of acceptance and how we all react and display our feelings differently. There are also ideas on how children might be able to support a friend who is feeling sad or worried - all beautifully illustrated by Clara Anganuzzi who has a wonderful talent for drawing animals. 3+ 5+ 7+

The New Girl by Nicola Davies and by Cathy Fisher

The New Girl tackles strong themes of bullying and acceptance in a way young children will understand and empathise with. The children in the new girl's class are unfriendly; they exclude her from their games and are cruel about her unusual clothes, strange lunches and her poor English. Then exquistite paper flowers start appearing in the classroom and in the playground...and the children slowly realise that these things of great skill and beauty are created by the new girl, transforming their attitude towards her. Cathy Fisher's illustrations are beguiling. 5+ 7+

The Small Things by Lisa Thompson and Hannah Coulson

As author Lisa Thompson said, "this year, more than ever, many of us have begun to appreciate the small things in our lives. This is what is at the heart of my story – a reminder to take a moment to appreciate that sometimes the little things are enough." In The Small Things, Anna is asked to befriend the new girl in her class - a child called Ellie, ill at home and using a robot to communicate with her classmates and join in the lessons. No Isolation is an incredible initiative, allowing long-term sick children to attend school - and inspired this story which is oozing with empathy and honesty. 7+ and perfect for dyslexic readers aged 7-9

Find Peace in a Poem by various authors

"A perfect and peaceful anthology for any child beginning to build a love and appreciation of poetry" - Amy McKay
This is a beautifully curated poetry collection that invites readers to slow down, notice the world around them and discover comfort in quiet moments. Bringing together an impressive range of contemporary voices, the book explores mindfulness in rich and varied ways, from listening for silence and living in the present to reflecting on dreams, nature and the lessons we can learn from trees. With a blend of original and existing poems, alongside striking illustrations, this is a warm, thoughtful collection that encourages empathy, reflection and connection, making it a wonderful book to read aloud, share with others or savour alone. 7+ 9+

The Wrong Shoes by Tom Percival

"Achingly real and moving insight into child poverty." - Joy Court
This is a moving and compassionate story that explores child poverty with great sensitivity, helping readers understand what it can feel like to stand out for reasons beyond your control. Through Will’s experience of trying to navigate school and home life while feeling different, Tom Percival shines a gentle light on shame, belonging and the quiet power of kindness. At its heart, this is a story about empathy, friendship and finding confidence, showing how understanding from others can make a real difference. 9+ 11+

A Glasshouse of Stars by Shirley Marr

Based upon the author's own childhood experience of moving to a new land where everything is scary and confusing. Shirley Marr said: “When I arrived in mainland Australia in the 1980s, at the age of seven, I experienced that culture shock of those worlds colliding – both the good, and the bad. I want to see these experiences in books, these Chinese-Australian immigrant voices expressed..." This imaginative novel conveys the emotional and bewildering experience that many migrants meet, especially when language barriers pose further challenges. 9+ 11+

The Boy in the Suit by James Fox

"A timely story about the impact of child poverty that will make you laugh, cry and think." - Joy Court
This is a heartfelt and deeply empathetic story about poverty, shame and the longing to fit in, told with warmth, humour and enormous compassion. Through Solo’s unforgettable voice, readers see the painful realities of standing out, worrying about money and searching for stability, while also discovering the importance of dignity, connection and hope. Both funny and moving, this is a powerful story that encourages empathy by helping children look beyond appearances and understand the unseen struggles others may be carrying. 9+ 11+

Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbowby Benjamin Dean and Sandhya Prabhat

This is a heart-warming and funny debut about families and love in all its forms. Archie is keen to support his father's coming out but struggling with the resulting family split. He wants everyone to be happy! Luckily his friends are there, and their resulting efforts to fix the family are genuinely funny.
A wonderfully rewarding book about empathy, compassion and tolerance. 11+

Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

Recently shortlisted for the prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal, Echo Mountain is celebration of tolerance, acceptance and the power of kindness. Having lost their home in the Great Depression Ellie and her family move to the mountains to begin a new life, a life of challenge and hardship.

Following a family trauma Ellie finds friendship in the wild people of the mountain - and a support and love that helps her through adversity. 11+ 13+

Drawn Across Borders: True Stories of Migration by George Butler

George Butler is an award-winning artist and correspondent with a special interest in the war in Syria and the plight of refugees fleeing conflict across the world. Drawn Across Borders is his collection of personal stories and experiences of migrants and refugees he has met on the front line; of migrant camps, what it takes to feel you have no option but leave your home and the hope that a new land will bring you safety and security. This is an excellent resource for exploring the issues of migration - and you can get further insight as George discusses his book on the LoveReading LitFest channel. Key Stage 3 Key Stage 4

Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald

"An astonishing debut that shows love can be so much more than blood, and even from darkest places hope can and does exist." - Amy McKay
This is a powerful and compassionate coming-of-age novel that explores identity, trauma, forgiveness and the search for belonging. Through the intertwined stories of Finlay and Banjo, Margaret McDonald shines a light on the lasting impact of life in care, while also capturing the strength, vulnerability and hope that can grow through friendship, community and second chances. Honest, moving and full of heart, this is a deeply empathetic story that invites readers to look beyond anger and bravado to the hurt, resilience and humanity underneath. 13+ YA

Future Girl by Asphyxia

This is an absolutely stunning book, part graphic novel, part prose and poetry - it is a feast for the senses. It is also an important portrayal of life for a deaf teenager told through the journal entries of 16 year old Piper as she struggles to fit in at school. Her mum wants her to appear 'normal' and, until she meets Marley, she hasn't learnt sign language. Through her friendship with him she learns Auslan, an Australian sign language - and starts to see a new future for herself. An uplifting coming-of-age story, written and illustrated by Asphyxia, a Deaf artist and an activist and campaigner the rights of Deaf people. 13+ YA

The Crossing by Manjeet Mann

Through a powerful and often heart wrenching poem, Manjeet Mann conveys the story of two teenagers, both struggling with great personal stress. One, Sammy, a refugee recently arrived in the UK - fleeing from forced conscription to the Eritrean army. The other, Natalie, who has just lost her mum to cancer and her world is imploding. The lives of these two lost souls are brought together in an emotional tale of hope and resilience. As the author said “I wanted to make sense of what I was seeing, I wanted to do something that would help build empathy and understanding.” 13+ YA