We've Got This: Six Steps to Build Your Empathy Superpower

Since 2015 EmpathyLab has been encouraging children (and adults) to use empathy in our quest for a kinder and less divisive world. This book explains both the theory and practical side of empathy and is laid out in six steps or sections: ‘Know what empathy IS; Know how empathy WORKS; Use your empathy out in the WILD; Learn to recognize EMOTIONS; Be a BRILLIANT communicator; Become the ULTIMATE empathy hero’ (p.4).

The author explains how a reader’s brain shows mirror neurons becoming active and indeed, reading is a fantastic way of becoming empathetic. Whether you are reading fiction, non-fiction, poetry or humorous literature they all count! Each year EmpathyLab selects a number of books which will encourage empathy and this collection is known as ‘Read for Empathy’ (p.75).

This excellent handbook is clearly arranged and has many wise quotes from well-known authors scattered throughout. I particularly liked this quotation from Joseph Coelho, current Waterstones Children’s Laureate: ‘The word empathy contains roots that mean “affection” and “suffering” and “within”. But it works both ways, together our suffering is halved and our affection doubled’ (p.97).

There are some helpful practical exercises to aid the student in his/her search for empathy. For example, why not create some listening vouchers so that you can become an expert listener? Good communication is key to being empathetic, as the penultimate chapter explains. There is also a link with nature through empathy. In his Foreword Sir Michael Morpurgo writes, ‘We need to understand and empathize with the environment around us, so we can protect our planet.’

All in all, this is a comprehensive look at the importance of empathy and how we can all achieve it through reading and stories in a variety of media.