Most literature, by its very nature, encourages empathy. Featuring characters who are different or unique, for instance, is one way to get your child into their shoes and see the world through their eyes.
Read on for five books that tug the heartstrings with their inspiring and touching stories.
1. Wonder, $14.93
Wonder is a best-selling book (and now a major motion picture) about the story of a 10-year-old boy who was born with a facial difference. He had never attended a mainstream school… until fifth-grade. This story follows his entry into a new school where he must convince his classmates that he’s a normal boy just like them.
2. The Invisible Boy, $28.43
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig follows a boy named Brian who feels his peers don’t notice him. He’s the only child not chosen on the kickball team, and he’s also left out at another student’s party. However, once Justin, a new child with some quirks of his own joins the class, Brian starts to open up.
3. Hey Little Ant, $25.24
In this heartwarming story, a little ant makes his case of why he deserves to continue crawling about while a curious boy considers squishing him with his shoe. The ant asks the little boy, “If you were me and I were you, what would you want me to do?” The story asks the reader to consider if the ant’s rights and needs are inconsequential just because he’s so small.
4. The Hundred Dresses, $12.94
Every day, Wanda wears the same blue dress to school. She tells her classmates that she has a hundred of them at home, but her classmates don’t believe her. Peggy leads the teasing while Maddie, who teases Wanda too, wonders if she should defend Wanda. When Wanda doesn’t come to school one day, they all learn the truth about her blue dress.
5. Amazing Grace, $27.66
Grace is in the habit of retelling all sorts of stories to herself, and she always makes sure that she gets to play the most exciting part. So, when her school decides to put on the play of Peter Pan, she has no doubt who she wants to be. However, her classmates disagree and tell her she can’t be Peter. She’s a girl, and she’s black! Luckily, Grace’s family help her rebuild her confidence just in time for auditions.
Pix: <grace>
