- Shamser Khalid
Marcus Rashford's Book Makes Children’s Empathy Book List
The 2023 Read For Empathy book collection aimed at children was released on Monday. Included in the authors listed is footballer Marcus Rashford, who wrote: “You Can Do It: How To Find Your Voice And Make A Difference.”
The list was made by the organization EmpathyLab and includes 65 books aimed at three to 16-year-olds. The books listed in the collection have been chosen by a panel of expert judges and offers young people different ways of experiencing, understanding, and building empathy.
What is Marcus Rashford's Book?
Marcus Rashford's book, “You Can Do It: How To Find Your Voice And Make A Difference,” is a book co-written with Carl Anka and launched in July 2022. The book is aimed at children aged ten to 14 and is intended to inspire people to find their voice while celebrating being different.
It also draws on Rashford’s experiences campaigning, which has included pushing for low-income families to be provided with free school meals outside term time.
Marcus Rashford's Writing History
Marcus Rashford MBE is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team. The player began launching books in 2020. Aside from motivational books, Rashford has written children's books. Rashford's first children’s book was "The Breakfast Club Adventures," co-written with author Alex Falase-Koya and released in 2021.
During his writing career, his first book, "You Are A Champion," a self-help guide to life aimed at young people who wish to discover their full potential, topped the best-seller charts.
His latest book, which has sold more than 220,000 copies in the UK, is on the secondary school list for those aged 12 to 16 in the Empathy collection.
Statements on Empathy Book List
According to EmpathyLab’s founder Miranda McKearney, who was on the judging panel, “Each of the collection’s wonderful books has been chosen to do a specific empathy-building job, giving educators practical tools to raise an empathy-educated generation.”
“Imagine the power of every child being inspired to learn about the importance of empathy and develop this critical life skill – the future would be in safe hands.”
The list features picture books, novels, poetry, non-fiction, graphic, and verse novels that give insights into issues like economic hardship, war, homelessness, and hearing loss.
Other Writers on the List
Aside from the footballer, performance poet, playwright, and children’s author, Joseph Coelho, is listed for primary school children aged three to 11 for his picture book “Our Tower”. Illustrated by Richard Johnson, the picture book tells the story of three children discovering the magic inside their tower block.
Other books to make the empathy list include “Tyger” by SF Said, “Yes You Can, Cow!” by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Lisa Thompson’s “Sidney Makes A Wish.”
What is the Empathy Book List
The 2023 Read for Empathy book collection is the latest in EmpathyLab’s Read for Empathy book collection and guide, which started in 2017. Each guide features a diverse collection of books for children aged 4 to 16 years old. The books are selected by an expert panel and aims to improve children's empathy skills.
