Picture books to develop empathy

Sharing picture books is a great way to grow social-emotional skills like empathy. Reading a story offers a great opportunity to put yourself in another's shoes and understand how they're feeling. Ask questions as you read - how do you think the characters feel? How would you feel? What would you do in the same situation? Here are some great newer titles that I love and that build empathy!

THE BOY WITH FLOWERS IN HIS HAIR by Jarvis

One of my absolute favorite picture books of all time. Told from the point of view of his best friend, who notices that when the boy's flowers begin to wilt and fall there are things he can do to help - until the boy's flowers can grow again on their own. Empathy, friendship, kindness, gorgeous illustrations, and without a hint of didacticism. The total package.

WHAT IS GIVEN FROM THE HEART by Patricia McKissack and April Harrison

A boy, whose family doesn't have much of their own, tries to figure out what he can possibly give to another family at his church who has lost everything in a fire. A beautiful story of compassion and how we can all give something - even if we wish we could give more.

ADRIAN SIMCOX DOES NOT HAVE A HORSE by Marcy Campbell and Corinna Luyken

Adrian Simcox tells anyone who will listen that he has a horse at home. But Chloe doesn't believe him. He lives in a tiny house and has holes in his shoes; how could he have a horse? But when Chloe calls him out in front of everyone, instead of feeling vindicated, she feels terrible. A gorgeously-illustrated lesson in kindness. Best for ages 5+ due to the complexity of the story, and a great way to have a conversation about what Chloe could have done differently and what Adrian's body language told her.

WOLF IN THE SNOW by Matthew Cordell

In this award-winning wordless book, a child and a small wolf both find themselves lost in a snowstorm. Can they help each other find their way home? Cordell's evocative illustrations made me cry.

STRICTLY NO ELEPHANTS by Lisa Mantchev and Taeeun Yoo

It's Pet Club day! But a boy is not allowed to bring his tiny elephant. What can he do when a group excludes him? Make his own club that includes EVERYONE! Sweet and silly. Who wouldn't want a pet elephant?

MILO IMAGINES THE WORLD by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson

Milo is taking the train, and on the way, he draws and imagines the lives of everyone he sees. But when a boy wearing a suit gets off at the same stop he does, he realizes you can't tell what someone's life is like based solely upon what they look like.

WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU? by James Catchpole and Karen George

Children are naturally curious. A boy with a limb difference is playing, and of course they want to know what happened to his leg. But the boy just wants to play! Sure, sometimes it's okay to ask, but be prepared that someone may not want to answer - and that's okay too!

THE ROAR by Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar

When Turtle falls over while trying to climb a rock and ends up on his back, he is MAD. His friends try to help him feel better, but all their suggestions just make him ROAR. Similar to THE RABBIT LISTENED below, Turtle needs time - first to be mad, and then to feel better.

I LOVE CAKE! STARRING RABBIT, PORCUPINE AND MOOSE by Tammi Sauer and Angela Rozelaar

Rabbit and Porcupine are excited to share the cake at Rabbit's birthday party. But it's gone!? When moose shows up with cake crumbs on his sweater, he denies eating the cake. Will he come clean? Questions to ask while you read: How do you think Rabbit and Porcupine feel? Moose? What would you do if you were Moose?

HOORAY FOR HAT! by Brian Won

Elephant receives a surprise box in the mail. One by one, he shares the surprise with his friends, turning their bad moods into good.

THE RABBIT LISTENED by Cori Doerrfeld

When birds knock a child's blocks over, they are ANGRY. Lots of animals have suggestions for how the child should handle that anger - but what they really need is just someone to listen.

BE KIND by Pat Zietlow Miller and Jen Hill

A girl tries to think of ways to help her friend who has spilled grape juice on her dress.

I WALK WITH VANESSA by Kerascoet

A girl witnesses another child being bullied. She wants to figure out how to help.

LULI AND THE LANGUAGE OF TEA by Andrea Wang and Hyewon Yum

In an ESL class with others learning English, Luli finds a common language: tea.

YOU GO FIRST by Ariel Bernstein and Marc Rosenthal

Duck is excited to try the new slide but cat is anxious and tries to dissuade them.

LUBNA AND PEBBLE by Wendy Meddour and Daniel Egnéus

Lubna lives in a refugee camp and has no toys, so she draws a face on a pebble and makes it her friend. But when she and her father are set to leave the camp, she decides to give her pebble to a boy who needs it.

I AM HUMAN by Susan Verde and Peter Reynolds

A child shares all the things that make them human.