As adults, we understand that Empathy is the ability to understand how someone else is feeling or to understand the situation they are in. and that, it is the ability to “put yourself in someone else’s shoes” and to understand the way a situation might make them feel. Regarding kids, we need to open their eyes and hearts on such term, and teach them what empathy is and why is it important? But in order to help kids understand empathy, we should communicate with them in a language they understand, explaining through real-life examples that they can relate to.

So, we sought to share with you 5 interesting books from Readers Book Shop to attract your kids to listen to you and learn about a very important life skill; Empathy.  

1. How to Make Friends

  By: Molly Wigand Language: Arabic A book about friendship that teaches children the values of loyalty, honesty, and trust that ensures building real friendships with others.  

2. I am Human

By: Jabal Amman Publishers Language: Arabic A children’s book discussing the World Declaration of Human Rights in illustrations completed by 25 Arab artists all over the Arab world. This book offers the topics of World Declaration of Human Rights in very simplified Arabic targeted towards children alongside illustrations that represent each of these Rights. That is seen as a tool in coaching children their rights from an early age, and instils in them the importance of respecting the rights of others regardless of their race, orientation and beliefs; all in all, applying what they learned in their day to day life at home, school, and in the society.  

3. Fox Makes Friends

  By: Adam Relf Language: English A heart-warming picture book that has a wonderful message for young children about making friends. When Fox’s mummy tells him to go off and ‘make’ some friends, he takes her at her word. He rushes off excitedly to make a friend out of sticks, an apple and some nuts. But he’s rather disappointed in this new stick friend, so he enlists the help of a passing rabbit, then a squirrel. Working as a team, they do their best to help Fox make bigger and better friends, but none of these inanimate objects turn out to be great playmates. Mum finds Fox feeling sad and disappointed but soon points out to him that he has made friends – his new best buddies Squirrel and Rabbit are standing right beside him!  

4. The Giving Tree

By: Shel Silverstein Language: English 'Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy.' Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave. This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.  

5. Nora’s Gift Honoring Parents

By: Muhannad Al- Aaqous Language: Arabic This book discusses the concept of honoring parents, respecting siblings, valuing the guest and neighbors’ rights.