Read Alouds
Enjoy listening to our fabulous authors, illustrators and poets read aloud from our #ReadForEmpathy Book Collections, sharing all sorts of wonderful empathy-boosting stories.
Thank you so much to all the authors for taking the time to share these stories and poems with us.
Tine Mortier reads 'Maia and What Matters', from our 2021 Read for Empathy primary collection.
A visually stunning, hugely powerful picture book about the depth of inter- generational relationships. At its heart, a determined young girl who wants to do one last thing for her grandma.
With thanks to Nando Flores who composed the music.
A M Dassu reads an extract from 'Boy Everywhere' a moving story of survival which looks at the refugee crisis in a very different way.
This book was part of our 2021 Read for Empathy secondary collection.
Poet Matt Goodfellow reads 'Liam' and 'Strest', two poems from from 'Bright Bursts of Colour', part of our 2021 Read for Empathy primary collection. Thought provoking and empathetic.
Steven Camden, aka Polar Bear, reads 'Anyone' from his poetry book 'Everything All at Once'. This thoughtful collection was part of our 2019 Read for Empathy secondary collection.
Another fabulous poem, 'Difficult' by Matt Goodfellow from his 'Bright Bursts of Colour' collection. Lots of children may recognise themselves in this poem.
Michelle Robinson reads her Empathy Short, 'Someone Else's Shoes', a fun poem about seeing life from another's perspective. Discover lots more Empathy Shorts here.
Ever started at a new school and worried about making friends? You will know exactly how Ella feels. Gillian Cross reads an extract from her book 'Five Ways to Make a Friend', part of our 2021 Read for Empathy primary collection.
Dylan's hearing is getting worse and he is starting to feel very isolated. Joyce Dunbar reads an extract from her book 'The Boy in the Jam Jar', part of our 2021 Read for Empathy primary collection.
Matt Abbott reads his Empathy Short, 'The Dinner Invitation'. Ahmed has started at a new school. But how will he make any friends if no-one talks to him? Discover lots more Empathy Shorts here.
Sue Cheung reads her Empathy Short 'Bench Bill'. What would you think if you saw a dishevelled old man on a park bench every day? Maybe your Mum won't feel the same way as you? Discover lots more Empathy Shorts here.
Rashmi Sirdeshpande reads her Empathy Short 'The Best Birthday Ever'. Little wants Big to have the best birthday ever but it's all gone horribly wrong and she can't work out why.... Discover lots more Empathy Shorts here.
Race to the Frozen North tells the true story of Matthew Henson, an Arctic explorer whose story has been forgotten for many years largely because of the colour of his skin.
Author Catherine Johnson reads a short extract.
Joseph Coelho reads Elmer's Birthday by David McKee. The elephants pretend to have forgotten Elmer's birthday but things don't go entirely to plan...
Published to celebrate 30 years of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, helping children to understand that being different is just fine.
Elina Ellis reads The Truth About Old People, a very funny and lovable picture book tribute to grandparents and older people.
Performance poet Sophia Thakur reads Somebody Give This Heart a Pen, the title poem from her powerful first collection of poetry, which explores the experiences that connect people.
Author Patrice Lawrence reads The Dancer from the poetry anthology, A Country to Call Home, edited by Lucy Popescu.
Author and illustrator Tom Percival read his picture book Ravi's Roar. A clever and engaging book about temper tantrums, dealing with emotions and learning to express and understand your feelings.
Cath Howe reads a chapter of
Ella on the Outside, a tale that will strike a chord with anyone who has felt the pressure to please a new friend or has struggled to fit in.
Author and illustrator Sophy Henn reads Super Duper You, a joyful and colourful reminder that we are all super duper in our own special and different ways. She also shows how to draw one of the characters in the book!
Author Atinuke reads from her book,
Love From Anna Hibiscus. Young Anna is a life force, intent on making a difference in her African community. Sensitive handling of unthinking attitudes to inequality and full of insights into lives lived very differently.
Tony Bradman reads
Words from the poetry anthology, A Country to Call Home edited by Lucy Popescu.
Wendy Meddour reads Lubna and Pebble, a picture book with an unforgettable story that subtly addresses the refugee crisis.
Sonia Beck reads Did You See Me? by Kit de Waal from the poetry anthology, A Country to Call Home, edited by Lucy Popescu.
Author Cori Doerrfeld reads her picture book The Rabbit Listened, a moving and universal picture book about empathy and kindness.
Steve Camden reads First Day from Everything All At Once, his poetry collection about life at secondary school.
Discover sharp insights into anxieties about fitting in, first love, and hiding in the loos.
Ieva Flamingo reads The Schoolbag from her poetry collection The Noisy Classroom. Watch out for the surprise at the end!
These poems from Latvia explore the feelings of children in the noisiest class in the school.
Author Kate Milner reads her book It's A No Money Day as part of Manchester Libraries celebration of Empathy Day.
This book deals with the painful reality of poverty sensitively and without stigma.
Libby Scott reads from Can You See Me?, the novel she co-authored with Rebecca Westcott.
Insightful and warmly uplifting, it's a story of autism, empathy and kindness that will touch readers of all ages.
Ali Richardson reads
The Steves by Morag Hood. Two absurdly competitive puffins (both called Steve) vie to be the best - a very funny book that perfectly reflects the sort of pointless silly arguments children have.
Listen to Moniza Alvi read The Camp, from the poetry anthology, A Country to Call Home, edited by Lucy Popescu.
Author Jessica Love reads Julian is a Mermaid, a picture book full of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality.
Click here to go to her Instagram highlights and listen to the story.
Find out more about the 2021 #ReadForEmpathy Book Collection here.
For more videos, head to our YouTube channel.