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RFE Submissions

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2026 Read for Empathy collection

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Assessment Criteria

EmpathyLab is a social enterprise with a mission to raise an empathy-educated generation, using  literature. We’re inspired by scientific evidence that empathy is a learnable skill, and that reading builds real-life empathy. Troubling world events highlight the need for empathy now more than ever.   

Our annual Read for Empathy collection features books for 3-16-year-olds. In February 2026, we will publish two Read for Empathy Guides to be used by schools and libraries in the run up to the Empathy Day Festival in June, one highlighting titles appropriate for 3-11-year-olds and the other for 12-16-year-olds. The guides are aimed at educators, librarians, parents and carers.
  

We invite publishers to submit titles for the 2026 Read for Empathy collection by 6 May 2025. 

Number of books you can submit

You can submit up to TWO titles. The categories are:   

  • One picture book or novel (including verse novels)   
  • One other – poetry, graphic novel, non-fiction, short chapter books/early readers   

What we’re looking for:

We are looking for around 70 books across all genres – picture books, early readers, chapter books, poetry, non-fiction, novels, graphic and verse novels. Please read the guidance and judging criteria before submitting your books HERE

Guidance

Please complete ONE form for each title submitted by 6 May 2025 using this link HERE

  • We are mainly looking for books published in the last three years. The book must be available in hardback or paperback by November 2025 at the latest, with a physical proof at least available from May 2025  
  • Diversity – in its widest sense – will be a particularly important consideration  
  • We reserve the right to suggest submissions and to do a call out if there are major gaps  
  • We often have difficulty finding enough poetry, graphic novels and early readers for 4 to 7-year-olds. Your submission will have a better chance if it’s in one of these categories  
  • Self-published books are not eligible. All titles must have an ISBN
  • Books must be published in the UK 
  • Books are selected based on a specific criteria.View our judging criteria HERE