Empathy is certainly not a new thing, but as a topic of discussion and a focus of social awareness, empathy seems to be experiencing a surge of popularity. Everywhere you turn, it seems there is talk of implementing and using empathy in homes, schools, workplaces, and in public. Many parents and educators are now eager to make empathy a core value in their households and classrooms. 

If this is something you’re interested in, you already know that while empathy is not terribly complicated, simply defining the word may not be sufficient to understand it. It takes context, practice, and thoughtfulness to realize the full implications of empathy, not to mention its value in interpersonal relationships. Sometimes, empathy doesn’t come naturally—many people would admit that it’s much easier, for example, to be sympathetic than empathetic. 

Fortunately, there is a crop of recently published kids’ books written for this very purpose.

Empathy Is Your Superpower: A Book About Understanding the Feelings of Others

Published in 2021 and written by licensed psychologist Cori Bussolari, PsyD, Empathy Is Your Superpower is a long-form picture book aimed at kids ages 4 to 7, though it’s probably appropriate for kids up to age 10. With 50 pages of colorful illustrations and clearly written prose, the book presents various situations and then poses questions for young readers to answer and discuss. In one scene, a child falls off his bike and needs help. In another scene, a child is frightened of certain amusement park rides. Follow-on questions ask things like, “What do you think is happening in this scene?” and “How are each of these people feeling?” This not only trains kids to analyze situations by applying empathy, it introduces them to the simple act of considering the feelings of others as a matter of course (which is, of course, a basis for showing empathy).

Selected review:

“Empathy is Your Superpower is such an important book for kids and their caregivers because so many kids don't know how to talk about their own feelings or those of others. Dr. Bussolari has a wealth of clinical experience with a variety of people, and I love the diversity of characters and situations depicted in this book. She offers prompts that are essential in starting the conversation with kids about feelings and empathy.” 

A Kid’s Book About Empathy

Part of a 42-book series (other titles include A Kid’s Book About Money and A Kid’s Book About Racism) A Kid’s Book About Empathy was written by former NFL coach and leadership educator Daron K. Roberts, who leads young people through a series of explanations, questions, and discussion prompts to isolate the definition, importance, and intricacies of empathy. The book does not feature illustrations, but instead uses colorful, flow-chart-like graphics to move from one idea to the next. Roberts relates personal anecdotes (such as being only one of two persons of color in a school class), encouraging readers to put themselves in his shoes and asking how they’d feel or react if they were him. A Kid’s Book About Empathy is ostensibly recommended for kids 5 years old and up, but it’s 64 pages long and full of esoteric and abstract concepts. For example, one section includes a discussion about the difference between sympathy and empathy. Another section walks the reader through a detailed, four-step process of showing empathy to others. It’s definitely a deep dive, and although certain 5-year-olds may benefit from the book, it’s probably better suited for grade-schoolers and even middle-schoolers. As the author himself points out, it’s a great guide for grown-ups, too. 

Selected review:

“My new favorite children’s book. As a mother of two and psychotherapist I am quite picky about children’s books that focus on feelings. This is a home run.”

Empathy Workbook for Kids: 50 Activities to Learn About Kindness, Compassion, and Other People’s Feelings

Empathy Workbook for Kids was written by Hiedi France, EdD, a school psychologist and mother of two. Like the other books highlighted in this article, Empathy Workbook for Kids presents definitions and explanations of empathy, along with scenarios and situations that will help kids recognize and express empathy. The book is colorfully illustrated with a diverse cast of characters, and it contains many helpful and interesting graphics. However, Empathy Workbook for Kids takes the central topic to a whole new level, providing what is basically a teaching curriculum on empathy education. In other words, this book is not really a book “for kids.” You would not present this book to a child or student as a book they’d read before bedtime, nor will an adult sit down with a child and read the book in a single sitting (nor even multiple sittings). At 150 pages, Empathy Workbook for Kids is a fully supported teaching resource, with multiple interactive components, workbook activities, jumping-off points for discussion, and entire sections specifically for adults. This is the most detailed and thorough kids’ book on empathy discussed here, and a parent or educator will likely require at least several weeks to use it properly.

Selected review:

“At a time when compassion is more crucial than ever, Hiedi France has written an insightful and comprehensive guide for parents looking to foster empathy and kindness in their child. Packed with a multitude of helpful and engaging activities, this should be required reading for all caretakers.”

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