Book an Adventure in Empathy

In our second instalment for Book Week 2025, we're taking you on an a literary adventure in Empathy and showing you which books we love to share with children to support their development of compassion, self-management and social awareness.

Books that support Empathy: Grades K-2

Be Kind

Author: Pat Zietlow Miller

Illustrator: Jen Hill

"Be Kind" is nice advice, but how do you do it? A child navigates her school day trying and sometimes failing, to be as kind as possible.

Come With Me

Author: Hollie McGhee

Illustrator: Pascal Lemaitre

A little girl, frightened by what she sees in the news, asks her parents what she can do. Their simple, perfect solution is to say, "Come with me." Hand-in-hand, they face the world.

The Invisible Boy

Authors: Trudy Ludwig

Illustrator: Patrice Barton

Brian is a quiet kid, and he feels invisible. But the new kid in class might have it worse— he gets teased on his first day. Brian draws him a picture, and that little act of kindness changes everything.

Last Stop on Market Street

Author: Matt De La Peña

Illustrator: Christian Robinson

CJ complains about the rain, taking the bus, and not having the same cool toys other kids have. But with some gentle humour and encouragement from his grandmother, he begins to see the beauty all around him.

Books that support Empathy: Grades 3-5

Just My Luck

Author: Cammie McGovern

Nothing seems to be going well for Benny: He can’t keep up with his brother on his

bike, he has trouble making new friends, and he’s worried about his dad. But his mum helps him learn a moving, helpful lesson about caring for others.

Ms Bixby's Last Day

Author: John David Anderson

Topher, Brand, and Steve are stunned to learn their favorite teacher is seriously

ill and leaving school right away. They go to extraordinary lengths to give her the

best possible last day, and learn a valuable lesson about cherishing ordinary joys in

the process.

Same Sun Here

Author: Silas House & Neela Vaswani

An Indian immigrant girl and the son of a Kentucky coal miner become pen pals—and forge an extraordinary, empathetic relationship across the miles. This powerful story is told in two distinct voices.

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Positive Pieces Education is the Australian and New Zealand publisher of the Second Step social-emotional learning program. Learn more