Last updated on March 21st, 2024 at 05:20 pm
Looking for books on empathy for kids?
Boys can often take longer to develop empathy. Although they may get there eventually, you might feel they, and you, would benefit from some extra support and advice on the journey. If you’re looking for suggestions for books on empathy for kids then read on.
Books About Empathy For Kids:
50 Real Heroes for Boys: True Stories of Courage, Integrity, Kindness, Empathy, Compassion and More! – Christy Monson
The great thing about 50 Real Heroes for Boys is that it features both men and women as heroes for boys (or girls, for that matter). Other similar books have tended to provide male role models for boys (also important). But it’s helpful for boys to be able to look up to women as well as men. These true stories are great lessons in empathy for kids.
The Boy at the Back of the Class – Onjali Rauf
Ahmet is a refugee who arrives in London and struggles to fit in. The focus of this book is friendship and embracing those who are different. My son liked the message of the book which he considered to be: “Everyone’s equal”. Perfect for readers aged 8 to 12 years old and one of the best books to teach kids empathy.
Tough Guys (Have feelings too) – Keith Negley
Visually striking, it’s the bold and colourful images in this book that convey the messages rather than the text. The images are largely of ‘tough guys’ crying in various different scenarios. You can use these to lead on to conversations with boys about why they think the man in each picture is crying and that it’s ok to cry.
Wonder – RJ Palacio
A beautiful story about being different and the impact of that on everyday life. Not only do we see things from Auggie’s point of view, but we also see them from other main characters’ perspectives. From this, we develop a deeper understanding of others (why people might behave in a certain way and why things often aren’t always as they first seem). One of the top picks of empathy books for kids.
Kindness is my Superpower – Alicia Ortego
Nicely illustrated, this is one for younger children. It emphasises the importance of treating others well. It’s written in the style of a poem which makes it easy to read and understand. One of my top picks for picture books about compassion.]
My First Book of Feminism (for Boys) – Julie Merberg
A picture book for younger readers, this explains equality in a way that is easy to understand and makes absolute sense. The idea behind this book is that very young boys who grow up reading this book won’t need to question things such as equal pay, consent and who should do which chores.
Books About Empathy For Teens:
A Boy Like Me – Jennie Wood
A story about a transgender teen, following their journey through childhood and adolescence. It tackles identity and self-acceptance and is a good option for young people going through a similar experience. It also provides an opportunity for those who are not on that journey: to develop empathy and understanding towards people different from themselves.
The Teen’s Guide to Social Skills (Practical Advice for Building Empathy, Self Esteem and Confidence – Kate Fitzsimons
This book has consistently great reviews. It seeks to help kids and teenagers develop their confidence, empathy and ability to relate to others. Full of practical tips, it offers support and an arm around the shoulder for kids who, to varying degrees, may be struggling with the world around them. It addresses topics such as family, school, friends and social media. It also looks at how kids and young adults can improve on things such as active listening and emotional intelligence.
Fights: One Boy’s Triumph Over Violence – Joel Christian Gill
A book about equality and justice, the author tackles issues such as abuse and poverty, in a personal memoir addressing his own experiences. The author chronicles his own experiences as a young Black boy growing up in tough surroundings.
How to Grow Up and Feel Amazing: The No Worries Guide for Boys – Dr Ranj Singh
This book covers physical changes such as puberty, but it also advises on mental health and how to manage emotions and relationships as boys grow older. It’s suitable for boys around age 10 to 13. They may prefer to read it on their own and come to you if they have any further questions. However, this book is likely to cover a lot of the questions they already had!
Books On Empathy For Parents:
Raising Boys – Steve Biddulph
(There’s now an updated version, which is the link I’ve provided above). Written by a family therapist, this book is a pretty well-known and popular option. It’s best for looking at the stages of development for boys – for example when they’re most likely to move from Mum to Dad in terms of needing support and guidance. It’s straight-forward and easy to understand.
Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World – Michele Borba
This book is full of ideas for cultivating kindness and empathy for kids. Borba, an educational psychologist and parenting expert, focuses on resilience, empathy and emotional intelligence as qualities leading to success in later life. It’s a breath of fresh air in a sea of books focusing on achievement and determination (not bad in themselves, but only a part of the story)!
The One Rule for Boys: How Empathy and Emotional Understanding Will Improve Just About Everything For Your Son – Dr Max Wachtel
Dr Max Wachtel knows a thing or two about how damaging it can be to settle for the ‘boys will be boys’ maxim. Having worked as a forensic psychologist and in the legal system with men and boys, he has seen first-hand the impact of an inability to express and understand feelings. It’s easy to read, with research and guidance presented clearly throughout.
The Whole Brain Child: 12 Proven Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind – Dr Daniel J Siegel and Dr Tina Payne Bryson
A look at brain activity in developing children without too much science talk, the author provides helpful tips on managing behaviour and supporting children through difficult emotions.
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child – John Gottman and Joan DeClaire
This book looks at how parents and caregivers can support children to understand their emotions and self-regulate. In a world where emotional intelligence is becoming more and more recognised as a necessary life skill, this is a manual which gives parents the prompts to build strong bonds with their children and respond appropriately to children’s emotions.
Hold On To Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers – Gabor Mate and Gordon Neufeld
Addressing the reasons why family bonds matter more than those with peers, this book is one for parents of teenagers who may be concerned about the impact of peer pressure on their sons (or daughters). It can be a little wordy and repetitive in parts, but the message is a really important one and worth giving time to.
For more info, read my article on How To Boost Empathy in Boys .
Books promoting empathy for kids: The verdict:
Books can be a great resource to teach kids empathy. Books on compassion, respect and self-worth can, without doubt, promote empathy for children. Empathy stories can come in many forms. Children’s books about empathy might include books on role models they can aspire to, stories about children who have experienced hardship and guide books to teach kindness and empathy. I hope you’ve found a book from the list above to help your child, and potentially you as a parent too!
Helping others is an essential part of being kind. Being kind, emphatic, and sympathetic is one of the skills which determine a person’s future success, but most importantly, the ability to successfully communicate, socialize and translate ideas to people. So, by teaching kids to help others we teach them so much more. I applaud you for your commitment to teaching kids to be kinder friends and better people. I will definitely implement some of your ideas in my lessons at school. There is a great selection of books about empathy that teach this skill in a cool and fun way. Take a look here https://aliciaortego.com/best-books-about-empathy/