Books About Empathy · 201 titles considered

The Best Empathy Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about empathy? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Brown Girl Dreaming
Graphic Nov.
Inside Out & Back Again
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Empathy

Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2017

A Boy Called Bat

By Elana K. Arnold, Charles Santoso (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Bat series

A young boy named Bat cares for a baby skunk after its mother is killed by a car

160 pages· 21,164 words· Est. 4 hour read
6.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 9,321 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2012

Wonder

A boy with a unique face faces school for the first time, seeking acceptance.

316 pages· 73,102 words· Est. 10 hour read
6.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,218,556 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2012

The One and Only Ivan

A captive gorilla's world shifts when a baby elephant arrives, challenging his view of home and art.

Newbery Medal (2013)
304 pages· 25,905 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 216,215 ratings
$20.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 1944

The Hundred Dresses

By Eleanor Estes, Louis Slobodkin (Illustrator)

A girl claims to own a hundred dresses, but classmates' ridicule leads to regret and a vow for change.

80 pages· 7,306 words· Est. 57 min read-aloud
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 42,736 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2014

Brown Girl Dreaming

A young girl finds her voice amidst the echoes of Jim Crow and Civil Rights awakening.

366 pages· 30,215 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 94,538 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 10–15

The Boy on the Wooden Box

A young boy's journey from a carefree childhood in rural Poland to surviving the Holocaust through resilience, family, and the unlikely protection of Oskar Schindler.

256 pages· 36,884 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 30,577 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2015

Fish in a Tree

A girl hides her reading struggles until a teacher helps her embrace her unique mind.

288 pages· 48,663 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 87,403 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2018

The Eleventh Trade

A boy must trade up from a keychain to reclaim his grandfather's stolen instrument.

304 pages· 53,985 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 376 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 2014

El Deafo

A girl discovers her hearing aid grants her unexpected powers at a new school. Can she find friendship amidst her newfound abilities?

233 pages· 16,807 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 91,911 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011

Inside Out & Back Again

A young girl flees war-torn Vietnam, seeking hope in America.

262 pages· 14,925 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 68,447 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
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Browse by age

Empathy Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about empathy for the youngest readers and listeners.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Ages 2–6 · 2010

When Amos falls ill, his zoo friends bring the fun to him.

Baby Be Kind

Ages 0–3 · 2012

Discover simple acts of kindness that even a baby can do.

When Your Elephant Has the Sniffles

Ages 2–4 · 2017

Can you stop an elephant from sneezing and spreading the sniffles?

You Go First

Ages 0–4 · 2013

Little Critter learns the value of putting others first after his selfishness causes trouble.

Yo! Yes?

Ages 2–4 · 1993

Two strangers meet on a street, sparking an unexpected friendship.

Will Bear Share?

Ages 0–3 · 2018

Will Bear share her ice cream cone or keep it all to herself?

Happy Grumpy Loved
Sale price
$1295

Happy Grumpy Loved

Ages 0–3 · 2018

Discover emotions and build vocabulary with playful exploration.

I Am Scary
Sale price
$1095

I Am Scary

Ages 0–2 · 2020

A monster's scare tactics fail when a child finds it huggable.

Llama Llama Hooray for New Friends!

Ages 2–5 · 2023

Llama Llama navigates new friendships and learns about acceptance.

We Share This Earth
Sale price
$899

We Share This Earth

Ages 2–5 · 2024

Discover the power of community and empathy across the globe.

We Share This School
Sale price
$899

We Share This School

Ages 2–5 · 2023

Discover the heart of school communities and their role in nurturing empathy and compassion.

What If I Want to Be Kind?

Ages 2–4 · 2020

A child learns various ways to show kindness to others and themselves.

View all empathy board books
Browse by age

Empathy Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about empathy for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse

Ages 3–5 · 2018

A girl learns the truth about a classmate's horse.

The Snatchabook

Ages 3–6 · 2013

A group of books disappear at night in the town of Burrow Down, leading to a mysterious figure being discovered,

Manjhi Moves a Mountain

Ages 4–8 · 2017

A man carves a mountain path, transforming his village's future.

Great Joy

Ages 4–8 · 2007

A girl finds unexpected inspiration from a mysterious organ grinder at Christmas.

The Very Cranky Bear

Ages 3–5 · 2008

Can four friends soothe a cranky bear's sleep troubles?

Bernice Gets Carried Away

Ages 4–8 · 2015

A grumpy cat's bad day turns into an unexpected adventure with balloons and new friends.

We're All Wonders

Ages 4–8 · 2017

A child who feels like they don't fit in embarks on an imaginative journey to explore their identity.

Madame Badobedah

Ages 5–8 · 2020

A young girl suspects a mysterious hotel guest is a supervillain. Is she right, or is there more to the story?

The Perfectly Perfect Wish

Ages 4–8 · 2020

A girl discovers a magical wish and seeks the perfect selfless choice.

The Rabbit Listened
Sale price
$1899

The Rabbit Listened

Ages 4–8 · 2018

A child tries to build something but it doesn't go as planned.

Amazing Grace

Ages 4–8 · 1991

A young girl dreams of playing the lead role in her school play despite others doubting her.

Be Kind

Ages 3–6 · 2018

A young girl tries to be kind to her classmate after she spills grape juice on her new dress.

Browse by age

Empathy Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about empathy for developing and independent readers.

Paperboy

Ages 8–12 · 2013

A boy's stutter challenges him during a life-changing summer paper route in the segregated South.

Just Grace

Ages 6–9 · 2007

A young girl navigates the challenges of school and friendships while trying to help her neighbor who is struggling with a broken leg and a scared cat.

True (. . . Sort Of)

Ages 8–12 · 2011

A mysterious newcomer challenges friendships and reveals life-changing truths.

365 Days of Wonder

Ages 8–12 · 2014

Discover life lessons and inspiration from a beloved teacher's precepts.

Clash

Ages 8–12 · 2021

A new kid threatens Olive's friendships. Can she find her place?

Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza

Ages 9–12 · 2022

A girl confronts a legendary witch, unlocking hidden powers and self-trust.

¡Un tipo grande se llevó mi pelota!

Ages 3–5 · 2013

A big guy takes the ball. Can Gerald help Piggie get it back?

Jake and Lily

Ages 8–12 · 2012

Twins face identity and belonging challenges as they grow apart at eleven.

Molly
Sale price
$599

Molly

Ages 7–10 · 2013

A young boy helps his family care for a foster puppy and learns about the importance of understanding and empathy.

Pixie Pushes On

Ages 10–14 · 2020

A girl finds hope and friendship on a farm after her sister's polio diagnosis.

Mockingbird

Ages 9–13 · 2010

Caitlin seeks closure in a world of black and white after her brother's death.

Bat and the Business of Ferrets

Ages 6–10 · 2025

A new teacher, no class pet, and a plan to change it all. Can Bat adapt to fourth grade's challenges?

Keep exploring
Books about bullyingBooks about helping othersBooks about prejudice and racismBooks about activismBooks about animal welfareBooks about clothingBooks about coming of ageBooks about culture

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