EmpathyLab launches new collections featuring 60 books

EmpathyLab, an organisation that aims to build children’s empathy, literacy and social activism through literature, is launching two collections of books for readers aged four to 16. 

The Read for Empathy collection will see curated titles used by librarians and teachers to educate children in the lead-up to World Empathy Day, which takes place on 9th June. Included in the selection are titles authored and illustrated by Patrice Lawrence, David Olusoga, Elle McNicoll, Catherine Johnson, Manjeet Mann, Onjali Q Rauf and Karl Nova.

The primary school collection features 35 books for four to 11-year-olds, while the high school collection has 25 books for 12 to 16-year-olds. Many of the books help readers understand the lives of those experiencing tough situations, including becoming homeless or a refugee.

“The pandemic has triggered an empathy deficit in our children who have been deprived of interactions with others, denying them the chance to develop their social skills,” said Miranda McKearney, EmpathyLab’s founder. “Science shows that empathy is learnable and that reading is an important empathy-building tool. This collection will help parents and educators to surround children with empathy experiences, inspiring them to understand others better, and tackle societal problems such as racism."

Other titles have been chosen to help children build their understanding of emotions or inspire positive action towards the climate or animals or people in their community. 

The panel of judges, who selected the books, said in a joint statement: “We’re in a golden age of children’s literature, coming just when we need it most. Reading is a great way to raise a nourished, empathy-educated generation and helps combat the empathy deficit. Scientific research shows that identifying with fictional book characters helps readers better understand people in real life; the collection features books with outstandingly crafted characters who will expand young people’s worldview, helping them become more understanding of others and inspiring them to become socially active.”