Next Thursday, on June 10, we’re celebrating Empathy Day: founded in 2017, Empathy Day focuses on using books as a tool to build empathy, encouraging everyone to read, share books, and put empathy into action.
To support Empathy Day, EmpathyLab has created two Read for Empathy guides featuring empathy-boosting books for children aged 4-16. We’re thrilled that this year The Suitcase, by Chris Naylor Ballesteros, and Talking to the Moon, by S.E. Durrant, have been included in the collection!
The Suitcase is a simple yet powerful picture book about a strange animal that arrives with a suitcase. Written in response to the refugee crisis, with themes of kindness, understand and friendship, this is a brilliant empathy-building book.
Talking to the Moon is a moving story of memory and family, told through the eyes of a grandchild losing a beloved grandparent to dementia. Beautifully told, this is ultimately a hopeful book.
Last year, No Ballet Shoes In Syria, by Catherine Bruton, was featured in the Read for Empathy collection, and in 2019, Ella on the Outside by Cath Howe and Running on Empty by S.E. Durrant were also included.
You can find out more about Empathy Day and view the guides, here. Don’t forget to join us next week to celebrate and share the importance of empathy!
