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Empathy is our ability to understand another person and feel their emotions. It's a force for change because it makes us want to help people.
EmpathyLab is the first organisation to build children’s empathy, literacy and social activism through the use of high quality books. Their strategy builds on new scientific evidence showing that quality literature is an effective way to build our empathetic understanding of others.
EmpathyLab develops, activates, and celebrates the power of stories to increase real-life empathy. Through reading, children and young people understand others, grow emotionally, and thrive.
There is a day in June each year called Empathy Day. It's a day to help us understand each other better by using books to step into someone else's shoes. When you read, your brain reacts as it would to real events. This makes books the perfect empathy boosting vehicle. Train your brain with stories!
Empathy Day has grown into the Empathy Day Festival spanning several days in June. In 2026 the festival runs from 4 to 11 June.
To celebrate the National Year of Reading in 2026, EmpathyLab is going all in for connection. Join them for NEW challenges, BRILLIANT author events, EXCITING content and so much more! The Festival is FREE for all schools, libraries, bookshops, early years settings and families, across the UK and beyond.
EmpathyLab also publishes read for empathy guides and book collections. Each guide features a diverse collection of books for children aged 3-16 years old. Books are selected by an expert panel to improve children's empathy skills.
65 diverse and BRILLIANT books for 3–16+ year-olds perfect to #GOALLIN during the National Year of Reading!
Through these novels, graphics, picture books, poetry collections, non-fiction, and early readers – young people can experience, understand and practise empathy – a learnable life skill at the heart of strong relationships and positive wellbeing.
The Primary Collection - An expert panel has selected these 40 brilliant books for children aged 3-11, specifically chosen for their power to boost empathy for, and understanding of, other people’s feelings and life experiences.
The Secondary Collection - An expert panel has selected these 25 brilliant books for young people aged 12-16+, specifically chosen for their power to boost empathy for, and understanding of, other people’s feelings and life experiences.
Milton Keynes Central Library, 555 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 3HL