Empathy Day with Graffeg

We are delighted that This is How the Change Begins, a poetry collection written by Nicola Davies, has been selected as part of The Empathy Lab's Read for Empathy Guide 2023.

The Read for Empathy Guide features 60 books for 4-16 year olds, each chosen to empower an empathy-educated generation. Many of the books help readers understand the lives of those experiencing tough situations, like becoming homeless, or a refugee. Others help children build their understanding of emotions or inspire positive action towards the climate or animals or people in their community.

This is How the Change Begins is a collection of six illuminating poems inspired by the growing threat of climate change. From a consideration of our carbon footprints by way of Islamic mathematician Alhazen, the impact shifting weather conditions are having and will continue to have on our events and celebrations and the choices we have to make to turn the tide, these remarkable poems brilliantly confront the recognisable realities of the climate crisis with bold and lyrical language. Including background notes on the themes behind them, each poem has been typographically designed and arranged to best communicate these essential messages.

'These poems are perfect for sharing, reading aloud, and using as part of learning. They are evocative – they encourage the reader to engage with the issues without lecturing by using beautiful language and rhythm to make their point.’ Michelle Armstrong-Harris, The School Librarian

'The collection is small at only six poems but oh so mighty. It's a book that makes you reflect and a book that makes you take action. It's a book that takes root in your soul and grows.' Busy Busy Learning

EmpathyLab is the first organisation to build children's empathy, literacy and social activism through a systematic use of high-quality literature. Their strategy builds on new scientific evidence showing the power of reading to build real-life empathy skills. We believe that empathy is a beacon of hope in a divided world.

Goodbye Hobbs

Emma Bettridge & Josephine Birch

Merlin won’t go out. Not without his best friend Hobbs. Join Merlin as he goes on an adventure to learn how to say ‘Goodbye Hobbs’.

This is a story of what it means to love and lose a friend, and to find reasons to go for a walk again. 

Molly and the Shipwreck

Malachy Doyle & Andrew Whitson

Molly and her dad rescue three people in trouble from a small boat off the coast. Though they speak different languages, the new arrivals quickly make friends with the islanders, who offer them somewhere to stay and some clothes and food. Just a few weeks later, a new challenge threatens this relationship, but will Molly and the islanders be able to help their new friends?

Choose Love

Nicola Davies & Petr Horáček

Choose Love is a cycle of poems that highlights the experience of those forced to become refugees. The core of the collection was written in 2018 as part of a project with the charity Refugee Trauma Initiative.