Angelica's Wish. Written by Annette Menniti Campbell. Iillustrated by Olga M. Burger. Xlibris Corporation, 2004. 28 pages. A modern day fairy tale about the many hardships experienced by stray cats and one mother cat's wish. Fantasy picture book. Interest level: Gr. 2-6

Buddy Unchained. Written by Daisy Bix. Illustrated by Joel Hyatt. Gryphon Press, 2006. 24 pages. Buddy the dog, once lived outside on the end of a chain. Buddy tells how he was rescued and placed with a loving family in this book dedicated to each person who helps to protect animals. KIND Children's Book Award. ASPCA Henry Bergh Children's Book Award. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-3.

Here, There and Everywhere: The Story of Sreeeeeeeet the Lorikeet. Written by Mira Tweti. Illustrated by Lisa Brady. With a foreward by Jane Goodall. Parrot Press, 2008. 47 pages. A young Lorikeet is snatched away from his family and brought to America where he is sold in a pet shop. The Lorikeet's guardians, a boy and his parents, soon realize the bird does not belong in captivity so they they return him to his native New Guinea where he is reunited with his family. This captivating story, based on actual events, will help bring much needed awareness to the plight of caged/imprisoned birds. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Grades 2 and up.

Max Talks to Me. Written by Claire Buchwald. Illustrated by Karen Ritz. Gryphon Press, 2007. 24 pages. A story about the loving relationship between a boy and his dog where needs are communicated and met. An excellent title for teaching empathy. Click here for the teaching guide. A Humane Society Youth KIND Children's Honor Book. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. K-3.

Puddles On The Floor. Written by Lorena Estep. Illustrated by Dogs Deserve Better founder Tammy Grimes. Published by Crescent Renewal Resource, 2008. A poignant story based on actual events, about a sweet beagle pup who leads a tough, lonely life, chained to a doghouse, until he is rescued and placed with a loving family. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr 2-6. (paperback)

Sam's New Friend. Written by Thierry Robberecht. Illustrated by Philippe Goossens. Clarion Books, 2008. 32 pages. Only boys are strong and brave, or so Sam thinks. Once Sam befriends a girl, he discovers just how strong and brave girls can be. An excellent story about empathy delivered by two adorable characters. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. PreK-2.

Victor, the Vegetarian: Saving Little Lambs. Written by Radha Vignola. Illustrated by Julia Bauer. AVIVA!, 1994. 56 pages. Victor, a boy who lives on a farm with his parents, realizes he doesn't want to eat lamb chops and runs away with his lambs to save their lives. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Grades 1-3

Teaching Empathy:

Animals and Their Feelings from New Mexico’s Week for the Animals. Grades Pre S-2.

ASPCA's What do you feel? lesson and activity page. Grades K-2.

British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Kindness Counts: Empathy Unit (K-2)

Dumb Friends League's We all have feelings. Grades Pre S-2.

The Empathy Connection. commissioned by Doris Day Animal Foundation

Teaching Empathy: Animal-Assisted Therapy Programs for Children and Families Exposed to Violence. Provides ideas, assessment tools, worksheets and resources to design humane education and animal-assisted therapy programs.

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