We all know by now that reading, particularly fiction is a great way to create empathy. Science has proven without doubt that reading makes us kinder, more empathetic, less bigoted, and generally all round better human beings, and so there’s nothing wrong with capitalising on that by selecting books for your children that specifically build empathy. By experiencing the feelings of another person, in a safe way through reading, we grow up more understanding.
With that in mind, we asked for your recommendations for books that help to give your children more empathy and from your results we have a top twenty for you! While we specified children, we did not specify an age, so it’s a pretty mixed bag!
Charlotte’s Web – E. B. White
Our runaway winner is the book about the pig and the spider, where one learns about life, and death in a beautiful children’s tale.
The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein
This often gets recommended when we ask for children’s books. It’s not so popular here in the UK but it got enough mentions in our poll to put it in second place.
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe – C.S Lewis
Another classic next and one I grew up with, tales of Narnia and tales of loss, life and learning along the way. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is a personal favourite of mine.
Harry Potter Series – J. K Rowling
It had to be there didn’ t it? A study done on Harry Potter found that children who read it are kinder, more empathetic, less bigoted and less likely to be racist than children who hadn’t, so we’re not surprised to find it in this list.
Wonder – R.J Palacio
Talking about disabilities and disfigurements is always hard and so it’s little wonder that the critically acclaimed Wonder has made this list.
The Devil’s Arithmetic – Jane Yolen
This Holocaust story is a great way to introduce history to your children, and is a beautiful story, guaranteed to make your children more empathetic.
The Velveteen Rabbit
Because sometimes being loved means getting your fur rubbed off, and that’s ok!
Winnie the Pooh – A.A. Milne
Milne’s wise words and kind phrases from the original Winnie the Pooh stories make good life mottos for both children and adults and we’re not surprised to find it here.
Love you Forever – Robert Munsch
Am I the only person in the world who thinks this book is creepy? It’s in, so you must love it but the story of a mother who rocks her son even when he’s a man isn’t a favourite of mine.
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
More Young Adult than young children but To Kill a Mockingbird completes our top ten.
11. A Little Princess – Frances Hodgson Burnett
12. The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett
13. Where the Red Fern Grows – Wilson Rawls
14. The Hundred Dresses – Eleanor Estes
15. Little House in the Big Woods – Laura Ingalls Wilder
16. Blue Willow – Doris Gates
17. A Bridge to Terabithia – Katherine Paterson
18. Diary of a Young Girl – Anne Frank (review)
19. Inkheart – Cornelia Funke (review)
20. The Ugly Duckling – Hans Christian Andersen
Whatever your kids are reading, as long as they are reading you’re on the right track, but we hope we’ve offered you some good suggestions to add to their bookshelves.
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