Empathy Day: 13 Kids' Books That Help Children Develop Compassion

'Children learn through identifying with book characters.' ๐Ÿ“š

People are sharing their recommendations for books that help children to develop empathy, as part of a campaign to highlight the power of storytelling.

To mark Empathy Day on Tuesday 13 June, (run by EmpathyLab, an organisation that works with schools, libraries and authors), many people took to Twitter to share a wide variety of books they believe to be โ€œempathy boostingโ€.

Miranda McKearney chair of EmpathyLab told HuffPost UK: โ€œEmpathy is best learned young, and research shows that reading stories helps children develop it.

โ€œChildren learn through identifying with book characters to see things from someone elseโ€™s point of view, so as you read with your child, you can build their empathy skills at the same time.โ€

Twitter

Weโ€™ve rounded up some of the books people have recommended on Twitter using the hashtag #ReadForEmpathy.

1. Dog Ears by Anne Booth.

For #EmpathyDay, also Dog Ears, looking into the secret lives of young carers @Bridgeanne @bouncemarketing @childrensociety @EmpathyLabUK pic.twitter.com/FoeXa3AKcl

โ€” Anne Clark (@AnneClarkLit) June 13, 2017

2. My Name Is Not Refugee by Kate Milner.

We're already thinking about which books we're going to share on Empathy Day next Tuesday. #ReadforEmpathy @EmpathyLabUK @OpenUni_RfP pic.twitter.com/jl1OPF430B

โ€” Patron of Reading (@patronofreading) June 5, 2017

3. The Journey by Francesca Sanna.

For #EmpathyDay, our Year 6 children have planned some wonderful activities for our KS1 classes, based around these books. #ReadforEmpathy pic.twitter.com/hyAMIWDMve

โ€” Moorlands Primary (@moorlandsbelton) June 10, 2017

4. Smart by Kim Slater.

My #ReadforEmpathy Smart by @Kimslater01 a cruelly abused boy proves the cleverest + most loving of them all @MacmillanKidsUK #EmpathyDay pic.twitter.com/30MQGhYsUG

โ€” Sarah Mears (@sarahmears10) June 13, 2017

5. Cloud Busting by Malorie Blackman.

Our favourite #ReadForEmpathy book for tomorrow is 'Cloud Busting' by @malorieblackman @EmpathyLabUK pic.twitter.com/5vFQo5xjdX

โ€” Rye Library (@RyeLibrarian) June 12, 2017

6. Joey Pigza Swallowed The Key by Jack Gantos.

Happy #EmpathyDay ! My first #ReadforEmpathy choices today are these two tales of two very extraordinary boys pic.twitter.com/QHqQkjIXS2

โ€” Library Mice (@librarymice) June 13, 2017

7. Migrant by Maxine Trottier.

Katrina our communications manager shares, 'this book teaches compassion through metaphors. Sweet & very clever' #ReadforEmpathy #EmpathyDay pic.twitter.com/djj9EJk9p9

โ€” Lantana Publishing (@lantanapub) June 13, 2017

8. King Of The Sky by Nicola Davies.

Mrs Richardson loves King of the Sky, a poignant tale of a young boy in a new country befriended by an old man. #ReadforEmpathy #EmpathyDay pic.twitter.com/3aZ5XB4BpR

โ€” Stanmore School (@stanmoreprimary) June 13, 2017

9. Thank Goodness For Bob by Matthew Morgan.

10. They All Saw A Cat by Brendan Wenzel.

When you see a cat, what do you see?@EmpathyLabUK #ReadforEmpathy #EmpathyDayhttps://t.co/0UltvpxVuR @BRENDAN_WENZEL pic.twitter.com/5ozyUBntn9

โ€” AbramsChronicleBooks (@AbramsChronicle) June 13, 2017

11. Frog And The Stranger by Max Velthuijs.

Two lovely books for #EmpathyDay! Teaching my baby girl that friends come in all shapes, sizes and shades! @lantanapub #ReadforEmpathy pic.twitter.com/z9GGwScjp6

โ€” Keilly Swift (@keillyswift) June 13, 2017

12. Oi! Get Off Our Train by John Burningham.

People United's Tom recommends 'Oi! Get Off Our Train' for #ReadforEmpathy a brilliant story of tolerance, friendship and joy #EmpathyDay pic.twitter.com/qn3q0BjiMv

โ€” People United (@people_united) June 13, 2017

13. The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson.

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