Empathy has become an increasingly important skill in today’s world, but so many kids are lacking in this area. Fortunately, there are books that can help your child learn empathy and compassion for others around them, which will make them more compassionate people overall. After reading these best empathy books for kids, your child will be able to recognize their own emotions and those of others and how to react accordingly.
YouTube has also become an invaluable resource for any parent who wants to raise their children with empathy, especially due to its popularity with younger generations. Check out Art Mindfulness and Creativity channel about empathy on Youtube.
Top Picture Empathy Books for Kids
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: I’m not surprised that a book about empathy is one of our favorites. In fact, it’s one of my favorite books of all time! In this classic children’s novel, The Little Prince lives on a small planet and meets a pilot who crashes lands in his world. They have a long conversation about life and what’s important in it (i.e., love) before he departs again. It’s the perfect read for any child with an adventurous spirit and a thirst for knowledge.
2. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein: If you’re looking for an emotional read about the importance of giving back, then this is the perfect title to add to your reading list.
3. All Fall Down by Julie Andrews Edwards: A story about friendship from the perspective of four friends whose games get out of hand when they try a new way to play together without keeping score or playing winners/losers.
4. Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish: We all know how much fun Amelia Bedelia can be–especially when she’s making silly mistakes in trying her best to do what she’s asked.
Fiction Books
It’s easy to get caught up in our own emotions and what’s going on around us, but it’s important that we also remember how others feel. Most of us struggle with empathy on a daily basis, so why not give kids books that help them learn about empathy?
What Type of Book is Right For You?
When your child is struggling with empathy and caring, it’s hard to know what type of book will best help him or her learn about being kind and considerate. The reality is that every child is different. Some may take more time to warm up to some books than others. If your kid doesn’t seem interested in a particular book after a few days, don’t give up—there are plenty of amazing empathy books out there.
Influencers We Love
Jack Johnson, Leo Buscaglia, Jane Goodall, Martin Luther King Jr., Mary J. Blige, and Andy Warhol.
Some Extra Tips When Finding the Right Book
Of course, there are so many great books out there on empathy, kindness and caring for others. But how do you decide which is best for your child? One easy way to identify what book will work best is by using the 1-2-3 test: Read a couple of pages from each title with your kids (or read on your own first) and see if they can name two or three things they learned.
