EmpathyLab's Read for Empathy   

Empathy is our ability to understand and share someone else's feelings, and is an essential life skill, crucial if our young people and communities are to thrive. We're not born with a fixed quantity of empathy - it's a skill we can learn. And excitingly, research shows that books are a powerful tool to develop it. In identifying with book characters, young people learn to see things from other points of view. As they read, they are building their empathy skills. 

EmpathyLab is the first organisation to build children's empathy, literacy and activism through the books and reading, and we work in partnership with them to bring you the Read for Empathy book collections and free downloadable guides.

Order Read for Empathy collections 2021

EmpathyLab's expert panel has chosen a new selection of 30 books for children aged 4–11, and 20 for secondary school students aged 11–16. Each book 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. Use them to inspire children to turn feelings of empathy into action in their homes, schools and communities. 

The collections are available to order for with 26% off plus free delivery. 

Order the 2021 Read for Empathy collections

View 2021 Primary Read for Empathy collection

View 2021 Secondary Read for Empathy collection

Previous years' Read for Empathy collections are also still available to order. View previous years' packs.