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<\/div>\n<\/p>\n Every parent I know wants to raise their kids to be compassionate and caring towards others.<\/p>\n We want our kids to be the type of people who:<\/p>\n But if we want that for our kids when they\u2019re grown, we need to nurture the seeds of empathy in our children now<\/em>.<\/p>\n Empathy is a prerequisite<\/strong> for kindness and compassion because it requires you to take someone else\u2019s perspective and imagine how they\u2019re feeling. If you struggle to put yourself in someone else\u2019s shoes, you won\u2019t feel compelled to show compassion towards your fellow humans.<\/p>\n And with a low level of empathy, you\u2019ll have poor communication skills, struggle to maintain healthy relationships, and be less likely to help friends and family when they need support.<\/p>\n On the other hand, when your ability to empathize is strong, that correlates with a positive well-being and improved life satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n Research shows that empathy isn\u2019t just an innate trait you\u2019re born with (or not). Rather, empathy is like a muscle you can develop. But if nothing engages your child\u2019s empathy while they\u2019re growing up, they might struggle to feel empathy as an adult.<\/p>\n Just as you supported and encouraged your child as they developed the muscles they needed to sit up, crawl, and walk, your child needs your help to develop their empathy muscle, too.<\/p>\n Luckily for us as parents, we have one powerful<\/strong> parenting tool that will build our children\u2019s empathy like nothing else: children\u2019s books about empathy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Studies have found that one of the best steps you can take to develop your child\u2019s empathy is to read books that foster empathy.<\/p>\n Plus, reading books works way better<\/em> than lecturing kids on the meaning of empathy.<\/p>\n Lectures typically go in one ear and out the other. But when you read fiction, research shows that the brain reacts the same way<\/strong> as if you were living the story in real life. In other words, reading kids\u2019 books about empathy is akin to setting up a virtual reality simulation where your child can fully enter the experience and understand different perspectives.<\/p>\n To make sure your child gets the maximum empathy boost while you\u2019re reading books together, what works best is to talk about the book you\u2019re reading. Experts recommend pausing here and there to ask your child how the character might be feeling.<\/p>\n You can ask, \u201cHow do you think they\u2019re feeling?\u201d and then give your child time to think about it. If they seem stuck, you can point out facial expressions or remind them what just happened in the story. You can also reframe it like this: \u201cIf that happened to you, how would you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n That one simple step encourages your child to step into that character\u2019s perspective, which is exactly what empathy requires.<\/p>\n Bonus:<\/strong> For kids who can consistently articulate the character\u2019s perspective, you can help boost their empathy skills even more by asking them a follow-up question like, \u201cWhat would help them feel better?\u201d<\/p>\n Related: The Ultimate List of the Best Children\u2019s Books About Kindness<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n A while ago, my kids and I spent months putting together a list of the best\u00a0children\u2019s books about kindness<\/a>, and parents wrote back with sweet notes of gratitude. But they also had another request: What are the\u00a0best<\/strong>\u00a0picture books about empathy<\/em>?<\/p>\n And so my family set out on another months-long research project to find kids\u2019 books about empathy that both kids\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0parents will enjoy. (Because if kids are going to ask us to read it again and again, it may as well be something we\u2019ll appreciate, too!)<\/p>\n Every week, I put 30+ books on hold at the library, plus at every visit I browsed the shelves for even more books about empathy for kids. All told, my kids and I read\u00a0hundreds<\/strong>\u00a0of picture books on the topic of empathy.<\/p>\n The list below is the cream of the crop from those hundreds of books: the books I loved reading, and the books my kids couldn\u2019t get enough of. Read these children\u2019s books about empathy, and you\u2019ll be priming your child\u2019s brain to grow into a kind, compassionate soul. We all know the world could use more of those!<\/p>\n Note:<\/strong> <\/span> indicates my family\u2019s absolute top favorites on the list. These are the books my kids can\u2019t get enough of!<\/p>\n Some children\u2019s books about empathy have stood the test of time, decade upon decade\u2014not just with book critics but with kids and parents, too. Here are the best classic picture books that teach empathy.<\/p>\n This is a classic children\u2019s book about empathy, but it\u2019s a little wordy for younger kids. With that said, my kids couldn\u2019t get enough of it starting around 3.5 years old. They\u2019ve loved the display of kindness from the community in this story, and the book has been a jumping-off point for great conversations about what would most help others in need.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u2020<\/sup> This site is reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.<\/p>\n This is one of the classics for a reason. Kids love this story because they can relate to Max feeling shame for disappointing his grown-up. One study even showed that this book in particular is excellent for helping kids learn to recognize others\u2019 emotions.<\/p>\n To boost your child\u2019s ability to empathize, you can go beyond just asking how Max feels and also ask how the Wild Things are feeling and how the parent might be feeling.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The way the boy in this story puts himself in the old woman\u2019s shoes will melt your heart! As an added bonus, the special friendship between the boy and the woman shows kids that friends come in all shapes and sizes (and ages).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Kids\u2019 books about empathy don\u2019t all have to be heavy. Humor can be a powerful tool for the learning process because research shows it improves a child\u2019s ability to remember what they learned.<\/p>\n This is one of the best stories about extending empathy to someone you\u2019re not getting along with by assigning positive intent to that person. Plus, it\u2019s hilarious<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A silly little story about two friends who see the same situations in completely different ways. By the way, this book has only four unique words, which is perfect for beginning readers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This picture book does an excellent job of teaching kids how to see a situation from another person\u2019s perspective while also making them giggle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n One of the most important lessons about empathy I ever learned was from a (fairly dry) adult book about communication. When someone is behaving in a way that you can\u2019t understand, ask yourself: Why would a reasonable person do that?<\/em> But I wish I\u2019d come across this funny picture book first because I could have learned that lesson much<\/em> quicker\u2014while laughing.<\/p>\n When you stop to wonder what reason someone might have for acting a certain way, you\u2019ll tap into new levels of understanding and compassion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This hilarious picture book shows kids the true meaning of the Golden Rule. When their new classmate turns out to be a dinosaur, the kids at school are cool with that\u2014until the new Each spread of this picture book is a puzzle for kids to solve. But in order to solve the mystery, they\u2019ll have to look at the facial expressions and body language of the characters for clues as to what each person might be feeling. An excellent exercise in empathy!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Part of being a good friend is extending empathy to your friend when they\u2019re struggling. Here are the best kids\u2019 books about empathy and friendship. For more books about what it means to be a good friend, check out The Ultimate List of the Best Picture Books About Friendship<\/a>.<\/p>\n This is a wordless picture book about a girl who saves up for something she wants but then sees the situation from her little brother\u2019s perspective. And in the end, she decides to brighten her brother\u2019s day instead.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Such a sweet book! My kids love this story of doing something kind for someone even when it\u2019s hard. Bonus: This story also shows kids the power of perseverance and a\u00a0growth mindset<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Friends make mistakes, and when they do, they need to apologize. But an effective apology requires more than just saying \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u201d\u2014you need to first think about how your actions have impacted the other person. This heartwarming book teaches kids how to do that in a fun, approachable way.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This book is so good<\/em>. No matter how many times I read it, it still<\/em> makes me tear up.<\/p>\n This is the best<\/strong> children\u2019s book I\u2019ve ever read about how to empathize with a friend who\u2019s going through a hard time. Because sometimes what you need most of all is a friend to look you in the eye and say, \u201cThat must have been really hard for you.\u201d This is a book every child should read!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n You can\u2019t go wrong with the\u00a0Elephant and Piggie<\/a>\u00a0series by Mo Willems. Technically, these books are early readers not picture books, but even babies and toddlers\u00a0love<\/em>\u00a0these stories.<\/p>\n This one in particular is about how to be there for your friend when they\u2019re upset. Funny and<\/em> heartwarming!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
If You Want Your Child to Learn Empathy, This Is a Must<\/h2>\n
Why It\u2019s So Important to Read Kids\u2019 Books About Empathy<\/h2>\n
![\"When](\"https:\/\/happyyouhappyfamily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/empathy-books-for-kids-brothers-hugging.webp\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nBut Don\u2019t Miss This Essential Step<\/h2>\n
50+ Best Children\u2019s Books About Empathy<\/h2>\n
Classic Children\u2019s Books That Teach Empathy<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n1. A Chair for My Mother<\/a>\u2020<\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n2. Where the Wild Things Are<\/a> <\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n3. Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge<\/a><\/h4>\n
Funny Books About Empathy<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n1. Dragon Was Terrible<\/a> <\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n2. Good News, Bad News<\/a><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n3. Horrible Bear<\/a> <\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n4. Poe Won\u2019t Go<\/a><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n5. We Don\u2019t Eat Our Classmates<\/a> <\/span><\/h4>\n
kid<\/s> dinosaur starts eating them. Humor + powerful life lesson = SCORE.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n6. Who Done It?<\/a><\/h4>\n
Books About Being a Good Friend<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n1. The Girl and the Bicycle<\/a> <\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n2. A Hat for Mrs. Goldman<\/a><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n3. How to Apologize<\/a><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n4. Maybe Tomorrow?<\/a> <\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n5. My Friend Is Sad<\/a> <\/span><\/h4>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n