EmpathyLab have unveiled their 2024 Read for Empathy book collection of 65 books for 3-16-year-olds. It features major authors including Neil Gaiman, Jeffrey Boakye, Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, Hannah Gold, Phil Earle and Nadia Shireen.
There are 40 recommended books for 3-11-year-olds, and 25 for 12-16-year-olds. They will be used nationwide by those living and working with young people to help them learn more about empathy and put it into action. The Read for Empathy collection is part of a unique and growing UK empathy education movement, using literature as a tool to develop this transformative life skill.
EmpathyLab’s work is based on scientific research* showing that empathy is learnable, and that books help to build it: identifying with fictional characters’ feelings helps build real-life empathy. The 2024 collection includes picture books, novels, poetry, non-fiction, graphic and verse novels. Each book offers young people different ways of experiencing, understanding and building empathy. Several explore the world’s big empathy issues, including war, climate change and the refugee crisis. Others help children understand different cultures and identities, name and share their emotions and gain insight into challenging life circumstances, such as being disabled or having a stammer.
From 8 February, free Guides to the 2024 Read for Empathy collection can be downloaded from www.empathylab.uk/RFE-2024.
The 2024 Read for Empathy collection will be used by parents, carers, teachers and librarians to boost young peoples’ empathy skills year-round and particularly in the run-up to Empathy Day. Teachers using EmpathyLab’s approach report that using empathy-rich texts builds mutual understanding. Impacts include improved behaviour and a culture with less racism and in which children themselves help resolve disputes.
Empathy Day is on Thursday 6 June 2024 and is open to all to get involved and inspired. Schools and libraries can now register for the free Mission Empathy resources at www.empathylab.uk/empathy-day.
Everyone can also enjoy a free online Festival, featuring live events with many of the amazing authors and illustrators included in the book collection. More details announced 14th March 2024.
Posted on 06/07/2026 Tamara Macfarlane spoke about the impact information books can have on children and young people at the IBA
Posted on 02/07/2026 Announcing this year's Information Book Award winners!
Posted on 26/06/2026 Read our pick of the brilliant titles presented at the most recent SLA Publisher Roadshows