Books are an enormously powerful tool for helping our children develop a stronger sense of empathy. Indeed, it’s one of the many vital benefits of a regular reading routine. Children who regularly read for pleasure have been proven to be more empathetic, inclusive and socially aware.
It’s our mission to get children reading, and reading more widely. The world of children’s books has never been more lively and diverse – our bookshelves are teeming with empathy-boosting books for kids!
This Empathy Day, here’s our guide to the best recent empathy books we think children should be reading right now:
Peter's chapter books for younger readers are packed with gentle fantasy, family and friendship, and bags of empathy. Leo and Ralph is no exception and we're pleased to share that you can read a sample chapter here.
Leo and Ralph have been best friends ever since Ralph flew down from one of Jupiter's moons. But now that Leo's older, his mum and dad think it's time to say goodbye to Ralph. When the family moves to a small town in the country, they hope Leo might finally make a real friend. But someone like Ralph is hard to leave behind...
We introduced our Parakeet subscribers to Honey back in July 2023 and have been firm fans of the sweet, illustrated series ever since.
Honey is so good at her job as a scouting bee, finding lots of pollen for her hive, that she’s being awarded a petal medal by the Queen Bee! But while Honey and her hive are celebrating, the other bees in the neighbourhood are struggling, there’s just not enough pollen left for them. When Honey finds out she’s really worried and tries to help the other bees find pollen too, but not all the bees in the hive think she should help outsiders...
This book is a thought-provoking adventure for middle grade readers aged 8+. Like so many of Katya's stories it is moving and thrilling in equal measure, with a stunning atmospheric setting, complex characters and bags of empathy.
On the Island of Ayrie, everybody knows everyone, nothing much changes, and for Tilda, nothing ever should - it is beautiful, it is perfect and it is home. When newcomer Albie arrives at the island, Tilda wants to show Ayrie off but he wants her to leave him alone. So Tilda hatches a dangerous plan to try and win him over...
We chose this stunning book for our Cockatoo subscribers (aged 8 to 12) in April 2025. It's a beautifully told story with wonderful characters, friendship, empathy and the world's most gorgeous dog. But be warned: it made us cry!
Ten-year-old Rhys really loves dogs. When he finds a lost black Labrador with big conker eyes and ears like soft velvet, he can’t quite believe his luck. Nobody comes forward to claim Worthington, giving Rhys the perfect opportunity to prove he’s a good owner. But when Rhys moves to London to live with his estranged dad who hates dogs, Rhys decides to keep Worthington secret...
This extraordinary, moving and funny debut will make readers aged 8+ both laugh and cry. It's a hugely empathetic portrayal of a family struggling with the cost of living crisis in a story that is packed with empathy, humour and hope.
Ten-year-old Solo - embarrassingly, that isn't short for anything - just wants to be normal. He wants a name that doesn't stand out. He wishes he had a proper school uniform that fitted him. He dreams about a mum who doesn't get the Big Bad Reds, like his mum Morag. But most of all he longs to stop crashing funerals for the free food...
This hilarious new teen comedy is about figuring out who you are online and offline, perfect for readers aged 12 and up. We're huge fans of Nathanael's books which combine warmth and empathy with hugely relatable characters and real-world scenarios that young readers will instantly recognise.
Online, Fred goes by Existor@stmarks. His alter ego is the best gamer around - constantly on a winning streak, with tonnes of followers, and the confidence to go with it. But offline, Fred's life is miserable. His dad's always working, his mum's struggling, and at school, everyone looks straight through him. Until Existor's notoriety spreads to his school, and Fred sees an opportunity...
This heartwarming full-colour graphic novel explores friendships and first crushes, perfect for readers aged 10 and up navigating the tricky first years of secondary school.
Tuva is starting seventh grade, and her checklist of goals includes: writing a diary, getting a cool look, building the best fort in the woods with her BFFs, and sharing EVERYTHING with her best friends. But when she starts school, nothing is how she hoped it would be. Seventh grade has split her friends into rival factions and she's expected to choose a side...
