🎥Hear from the expert judges behind the 2026 Read for Empathy collection Professor Teresa Cremin shares how books that invite us to walk in others’ shoes can make a real difference. Explore the 2026 collection and download your free guides: empathylab.uk/RFE/ #ReadForEmpathy

Spotlighting the 2026 Read for Empathy collection: Graphic novels (primary) ⭐ PAWS: Gabby Gets It Together @nathanfairbairn & @msassyk ⭐ Higher Ground @tull_suwannakit ⭐ Unfaries @huwaaron ⭐ The Cartoonists Club @goraina & @_scott_mccloud

Spotlighting the 2026 Read for Empathy collection: Novels 2/2 (primary) ⭐ People Like Stars @lawrencepatrice ⭐ The Bird Thief @rachelkeatingauthor ⭐ The Boy in the Tree @lisathompsonwrites & @katiekearillustration

Spotlighting the 2026 Read for Empathy collection: Novels 1/2 (primary) ⭐ Land of the Last Wildcat @lui.land & @daviddeanillustration ⭐ Birdie @jprosewriter ⭐ Cobweb @michaelmorpugo & Michael Foreman

🎥Hear from the expert judges behind the 2026 Read for Empathy collection Jon Biddle speaks about the importance of booktalk: “It’s the conversations we have about books where the impact lies.” Explore the collection and download free guides: empathylab.uk/RFE/ #ReadForEmpathy

Spotlighting the 2026 Read for Empathy collection: Non-fiction (primary) ⭐ All Brains Are Wonderful @MrEPrimary & @mrpratto ⭐ Why Are There Wars? @katiemdaynes & @oksanadrachkovskaillustration ⭐ Its OK to Say No @mollypotter3545 & @sarahjscribbles ⭐ Star! @michaelamorganpoet

Spotlighting the 2026 Read for Empathy collection: Non-fiction (secondary) ⭐ How To Love @webcomic_name ⭐ Breakthrough: From the Streets to Success @omarsharif_official ⭐ How to be Disabled and Proud Cathy Reay

🎥Hear from the expert judges behind the 2026 Read for Empathy collection Sarah Smith believes there's a book for everyone in the collection and invites you to "join the empathy journey". Explore the collection and download free guides: empathylab.uk/RFE/ #ReadForEmpathy

Spotlighting the 2026 Read for Empathy collection: Early readers ⭐ Vicky and June @patricia.toht & @hoangiang ⭐ The Missing Bunny @hollywebbauthor & @antoniaillustrates ⭐ The Moonlight Mystery Agency: The Birthday Cake Thief @vashtiahardy & @agnessaccani

Spotlighting the 2026 Read for Empathy collection: Graphic novels (secondary) ⭐ Ditching Saskia @dontpanicjohn & @_neetols_ ⭐ When The Sky Falls @philearle & Fred Fordham ⭐ Mismatched @annecamlin & @imzeferino ⭐ Kick Flip @ldlapinski & @loganillustrates

🎥Hear from the expert judges behind the 2026 Read for Empathy collection Phoebe Demeger celebrates this year’s diverse list, all chosen to help young readers explore emotions, build empathy and think more deeply. Explore the collection: empathylab.uk/RFE/ #ReadForEmpathy

Spotlighting the 2026 Read for Empathy collection: Poetry (primary) ⭐ This Is Not a Small Voice @tracintodd & @jadefrolics ⭐ Red Sky in the Morning, Poet’s Warning @alexwharton_ & @ianmorris_22 ⭐ Out Of This World @iammichaelrosen & @ed_vere ⭐ Harriet Tubman, Force of Nature @carolinebrewerbooks

Spotlighting the 2026 Read for Empathy collection: Novels 2/2 (secondary) ⭐ The Boy I love @whusseyauthor ⭐ Odd Girl Out @tasneemarashid ⭐ Wish You Were Her @ellemcnicollofficial ⭐ Twenty-Four Seconds From Now @jasonreynolds83

Spotlighting the 2026 Read for Empathy collection: Picture books ⭐ The Playdate @ujebrandelius & @claradackenberg ⭐ The Dinosaur Next Door @david_c_litchfield ⭐ The Bicycle Patricia McCormick & @mevanbabakar & @yas.imamura ⭐ Leave the Trees Please @officialbenjaminzephaniah & @melissa.castrillon

📚 Spotlighting the 2026 Read for Empathy collection: Novels 1/2 (secondary) ⭐ Jellybean @eveainsworth & @theoblue.jpg ⭐ My Name is Sanim @fidan_writes ⭐ Phoenix Brothers @sita.brahmachari

📚 Spotlighting the 2026 Read for Empathy collection: Emotions (primary) ⭐ The Hideysaurus @rachelbrightbooks & @chatterton1 ⭐ Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim @kobinacommeh & @barah.ilustra ⭐ When I Am Kind IG: @childsplaybooks BS: @childs-play.co.uk @paulabowles_illustrator

Belonging is at the heart of this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week theme, This is My Place. Our 2026 Read for Empathy collection brings together books that open those spaces and help everyone #GoAllIn for connection during the National Year of Reading

For #8BrilliantBooks2026 and #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek, we’re sharing stories from our 2026 Read for Empathy Collection that echo this year’s theme: This Is My Place. You can join us for a deeper dive into the full collection this Thursday 12th February, 4pm with our FREE webinar. Book today!

⭐️ Registration for the Empathy Day Festival is now open! ⭐️ Sign up today for the Empathy Day Festival 2026, 4 - 11 June. We know how busy you are! By registering you'll receive early access to FREE resources, author and illustrator digital content, activities, and more, one month before the festival

⭐️ To celebrate 10 years of EmpathyLab, & mark the National Year of Reading, we introduce our 9 Ambassadors ⭐️ These inspiring authors and illustrators embody EmpathyLab’s values of hope and connection, helping build empathy-educated generations & championing stories as a powerful way to connect!

🎉 The 2026 #ReadForEmpathy collection is here! Celebrating 10 years with 65 diverse, brilliant books for ages 3–16+, curated to reflect our world and spark meaningful conversations during the National Year of Reading. 📖 Download our free guides (link in bio) 🗓️ Join our FREE webinar: 12 Feb, 4pm

⭐️ The 2026 Read for Empathy collection launches TOMORROW! ⭐️ We have an EMPATHY-TASTIC array of books ready for you to discover. Dive deeper with our FREE learning webinar on 12 Feb, 4pm. Explore the books on the collection and how you can use them at home, school or in your community setting.

We're proud to support #ReadItForward 2026! Buy ANY children's book during February, and @bookshop_org_uk will donate 10% to @BookTrust and @scottishbktrust AND you'll be supporting indie bookshops with every purchase: uk.bookshop.org/lists/read-i...

⭐️ It's ONE week to go until the 2026 Read for Empathy collection launches! 🗓️ 5th February Looking to dive deeper? Join our free learning webinar on 12 Feb, 4pm to explore the books on the collection and how you can use them at home, school or in your community setting 🗓️ 12th Feburary

⭐️ The 2026 Read for Empathy Collection is nearly here - launching on 5 February, watch this space! ⭐️ In the meantime you can still explore the 2025 collection and grab your next empathy-building book #readforempathy #goallin #empathyeducation

Our Managing Director Imogen Bond was asked for her hopes as we begin the National Year of Reading - read the full article to find out more about what we have coming up this year, and hear from other key figures within the world of children's books. ⭐️ Thank you @booksforkeeps.bsky.social

⭐️ It's TWO weeks to go until the 2026 Read for Empathy collection launches! 🗓️ Save the date: 5th February Join our free learning webinar on 12 Feb, 4pm to explore the books on the collection and how you can use them at home, school or in your community setting 🗓️ Book now: 12th Feburary

Our Managing Director, Imogen Bond was delighted to be at Calibre Audio’s conference yesterday “Inspiring a love of reading in Learners with SEND” - a chance for educators to explore how accessible formats and multi sensory approaches can help every learner engage with reading

During the National Year of Reading we want to support more authors and illustrators to be empathy champions! 🗓️ Our next Masterclass is online on Sat 7 Feb. Join EmpathyLab Managing Director Imogen Bond, and guest speakers. ⭐️ Book your place today

It’s here! The National Year of Reading 2026 launched today and EmpathyLab is ready to Go All In to get the nation reading and connecting. Follow @go_all_in_2026 or head over to goallin.org.uk to find out more. #GoAllIn2026 #NationalYearofReading2026

Empathy is much needed in the world, see what happens when empathy is taught through stories. Thank you to Pembroke Dock Community Primary and Stephen Engelhard, Angel productions #EmpathyEducation #GoAllIn

We are so excited to #GoAllIn for connection in 2026. Watch this space for exciting collaborations with the National Year of Reading. Be the first to hear by joining our mailing list! Whose story will you jump into in 2026?

We know of the decline in reading levels, but with the National Year of Reading on the horizon there’s much to be hopeful about. Read this hopeful piece by Francesca Dow in support of November’s Raising Generation Empathy Conference

2025, what a year it’s been! A HUGE thank you to everyone who took part, amplified or shared the empathy message. We’ve loved seeing how you jumped into someone else’s story this year. Join us in 2026 to #GoAllIn for connection as part of the National Year of Reading

Buy ANY book 5–7 Dec for a chance to win a £250 Bookshop.org gift card! Browse our Christmas Gift Guide or the full Read for Empathy collection. Every purchase supports EmpathyLab’s mission to reach 1M children. Link in bio.

Last month, we joined Konnie huq to learn more about how we can protect our planet. shared all things eco-friendly, including how to recycle an empty milk carton into a cosy bird box! Catch up on-demand and explore our #EmpathyActionMonth resources until the end of December!

🎄 Brilliant gift ideas for all ages. Unplug, connect with family or friends, and jump into someone else’s story this festive season! 🎄 Visit Bookshop.org today and discover the full list

Our final treat of the day is hearing from Michael Rosen. In conversation with Prof Robin Banerjee, Michael passionately advocates for reading to be used as a powerful way to open up children’s worlds, to increase of connections across communities, and support young people to thrive.

Empathy education is a shared responsibility. We are delighted to have practical insights from Kirsty Woods at Kibworth books, Ed Jewell, Libraries Connected, primary teacher Jon Biddle and secondary school libarian Graham Fairweather. #EmpathyEducation

Sussex University psychology team share groundbreaking research investigating the intertwined nature of reading enjoyment, ability and empathy development, is the first of it’s kind to be carried out longitudinally over 4 years in UK primary schools. Read the findings summary on our website

Our next panel, chaired by EmpathyLab co founder Sarah Mears, opens up the perspectives of authors and teachers who can bring the empathy message direct to children and young people. How we can use books differently to challenge the crises we see in reading and wellbeing.

EmpathyLab Managing Director, imogen Bond, introduces a panel of cross sector experts, each sharing insights into how a greater empathy focus could support with the multiple challenges our young people face. #EmpathyEducation

The more we read about our world, the more connected we feel to it. Books spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and remind us that even small actions can lead to big change. 📚 Which book will inspire the way you protect our planet? Find the full booklist on our website #EmpathyActionMonth

This week we’re Protecting our Planet! How can you make your surroundings greener & healthier, connect with people, places or animals impacted by the climate crisis? 

 Become an empathy activist, find resources on our website & share how you’re taking part #EmpathyActionMonth

It’s the final week of #EmpathyActionMonth and we’re focusing on Protecting Our Planet! Get involved and: 🌱 Make things greener 🌍 Learn & connect ♻️ Choose kinder habits Get your resources today & Do Something that Matters!

What everyday action can you take to make the world a better place? Amazing Lisa Thompson shares their own Empathy Resolution as we celebrate #EmpathyActionMonth. Share your Resolution with us & Do Something the Matters this November!

There's still time to register for our free LIVE event with @Konnie_Huq 📚 Protect our Planet: 25 November, 10.45 - 11.15am (online) 📚 Join Konnie as she discusses her Cookie series & inspires ages 7–11 to care for the environment Sign up on our website!

What everyday action can you take to make the world a better place? Amazing @rashmiwriting.bsky.social their own Empathy Resolution as we celebrate the #EmpathyActionMonth. Share your Resolution with us and Do Something that Matters across November!

Caring for our community starts with understanding it. Through reading, we can explore different perspectives and discover new ways to show kindness and create positive change. 

 Which book will inspire the way you care for your community? Find the full booklist on our site

This week we’re Caring for our Community! How can we explore the perspectives of local people to make a positive change in your community? 

 Become an Empathy Activist: read, create, connect & act Explore free resources & share using #EmpathyActionMonth