Books To Promote Empathy

Today is Empathy Day and after seeing lots of tweets about various books and films that inspire and promote empathy I started thinking about what books I have read and shared with my children in class that have really provoked discussion and empathetic responses. 

Here are my top three books to prompt empathy discussions in the classroom.

 

I use William's Doll every year as part of PSHE and our discussions around gender stereotypes. The book focuses on a young boy called William who is desperate to own a doll; however, those around him continually call him names and try to distract him with typical "boys" toys. Every time I get this book out it promotes such huge discussions on stereotyping and an outpouring of anecdotes from the children in class about their experiences around the topic. I often stop after each insult and together we make an emotions graph of how those words build and build and affect William's emotions. It's a very simple story and idea but the message is delivered so clearly. 

The Boy at the Back of Class has been a well-thumbed book since its release and with very good reasons. The story of Ahmet as he settles in to a new country and a new way of life always prompts fantastic discussion in the classroom and is a brilliant way of opening dialogue about refugees. So many children find the idea of fleeing a country due to hardship so difficult to digest and this book puts a child's perspective on such a difficult topic.  

Wonder is a brilliant class read to inspire empathy and for younger classes We're All Wonders provides a brilliant introduction to fact that we don't all look the same and some of us have other hardships to face. I love listening to the discussion that evolves from reading this as it really is a book that prompts the phrase "imagine you are in their shoes". I think a lot of discussion often revolves around August as the central character, but I do think my favourite points of empathy from children have come when they realise how Via feels about her brother and why she feels the way she does. 

Empathy is a skill that needs developed in children's reading and I'm constantly searching for other books that can help promote this in the classroom. I would love to know what you're favourites are!