The Borders of Empathy in Children’s Fiction

As much as adults might prefer to shield children from life’s traumas and problems, those issues exist. However, are these subjects appropriate for children’s literature, and is it necessary to prepare children before reading these books? García-González tackles this and other questions, such as if literature should seek seek to develop children’s empathy or prepare them to cope with complex situations, such as death or war; if it is beneficial to expose children to realities such as migration or racism; and if the ending in children’s literature needs to be uplifting. This well-researched book takes readers inside sessions with librarians and teachers from across the globe reading books with difficult subjects to children. When pondering these experiences, readers may rethink the purpose for laying the foundation for these books or shaping the children’s perceptions. They will discover that in many instances the children are able to distill the meaning or lesson from the most serious of texts without any adult intervention. Post-reading activities are also examined for their value as well as the concept of who is or should be at the center of the story: the child or the adult? The author’s research focuses on books published primarily in other countries that don’t always feature happy endings or clearly promote empathy.