The 2024 Read for Empathy collection is here!
Look inside & download for FREE!
Our free guides feature books, top tips, and more information on what empathy is and how to build it. Made to be used in homes, libraries and schools!
The new collection: quick facts
- 65 books for 3-16-year-olds; 40 Primary and 25 Secondary.
- Books are selected for their empathy-building power by expert judges - of teachers, librarians, academics and more.
- Notable diversity – over one third of the contributors are people of colour, and many neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ authors.
- Each book explores timely, powerful themes, incl. the world’s big empathy issues, handling and sharing emotions and changing society for the better.
How to find and use the books
Getting the books
- You can find the collection books in local independent bookshops and other retailers – in store or via
bookshop.org. Find your local bookshop
here. You can also borrow the books from your local library.
- Schools and libraries can additionally buy full sets of the primary and secondary books specialist children’s book supplier Peters; click here to order.
Short training course - make the most of the collection
- Hear an overview and expert insights into the 2024 booklist.
- Gain practical, creative ideas for using the books all year round.
- Receive 2 free Empathy Storykits to take away – resources with ideas for creative, immersive activities linked to two of the collection’s titles.
Extra resources: videos, reviews and more!
Exclusive Author Read Alouds
Authors read from their collection titles!
E.L. Norry reads from Fablehouse
Annemarie Anang reads from I Am Nefertiti
Candy Gourlay reads from Wild Song
Ian Eagleton reads from Glitter Boy
Jarvis reads from Bear and Bird
Helen Rutter reads from The Piano at the Station
The #ReadForEmpathy 2024 Discovery Tour
8 Feb - @thelittleliterary society & @jonnybid
9 Feb - @BookSuperhero2 & @mrsbrownsbookbox
10 Feb - Wonderland Bookshop & @Jake_Hope
11 Feb - @primaryteachew & @JennyHawke1
12 Feb - @booksfortopics & @authorfy
13 Feb - @NicoletteJones & World Book Day team
14 Feb - @inclusive_childrens_books & @nverjudgeabook
15 Feb - @KevC46 & @BookaBookshop
16 Feb - @father_teacher_reader & The Diverse Book Awards team
17 Feb - @GalwayMr & @smithsmm
Meet the 2024 Judges
The collection is put together by an incredible group of judges, who have worked hard to curate a powerful list. They are national experts and grassroots practitioners from schools, public libraries and organisations inclusing
ASCEL, the
School Library Association, and
The Open University.
Click here to read their biographies.
Welsh Language Collection
In 2022, we were delighted to launch our first ever Read for Empathy Welsh Guide.
Much of the work of EmpathyLab over recent years has been in Wales, where the curriculum refers to empathy 35 times. To reflect this, we worked in partnership with the Books Council of Wales to curate a bilingual guide featuring English and Welsh titles.
Click
here to learn more and download the guide for free.
Read your way to Empathy Day!
Empathy Day is on Thursday 6 June - and the launch of the latest collection means it's officially time to start planning.
You can use the 2024 books to take part in the 2024 Mission Empathy Challenge - which includes READ, CONNECT and ACT activities.
Learn more and register now for
free toolkits and resources!
