Growing Empathy Through Stories, Stones, & Sticks - Part 1
Nurturing children through the roots of empathy and the wings of imagination.
In our house, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry is more than a bedtime favorite. It is a timeless classic that never gets old. On the surface, it’s a cheerful, rhyming romp that takes readers through muddy roads and barnyard greetings. But nestled in the rhythm and rhyme is a tender lesson in empathy, friendship, and community.
If you break it down, this story models three core types of empathy:
Emotional empathy (understanding your emotions)
Little Blue Truck recognized when Dump Truck was in trouble.
The animals recognized when Little Blue Truck needed help.
Cognitive empathy (understanding how others feel)
Dump truck’s voice changed from “loud and proud” to scared when he got stuck.
Compassionate empathy (taking actionable steps to help ourselves and others)
Little Blue Truck tried to help free Dump Truck from the mud, despite his rude behavior.
When Little Blue Truck got stuck, animal friends came to the rescue.
This book is a great conversations-starter for how we can help others, foster friendships, and how kindness builds trust and generates ripples.
You’re invited…
This spring, I’m inviting you on a three-part journey into the heart of empathy. We’ll explore how children’s books and nature play work together to nurture this essential skill. Not through direct instruction, but through meaningful, child-led play.
Our journey begins with a broad look at empathy itself: the emotional foundations, the role of compassion, and the ways our hearts connect within a community.
Here’s what you’ll find in this edition:
Invitation to play
Simple, sensory-rich activity to extend the stories we read beyond the last page and into the realm of play.
Stone Soup - inspired by the classic folktale, children transform stones, water, and nature treasures into a magnificent make-believe soup.
Craft Corner
An earthy creation to spark connection and creativity.
Nature Mobile - an echo of Stone Soup where individual sticks and treasures are decorated, then brought together to create a beautiful hanging mobile.
Book recommendations and reviews
Stories centered on empathy and community, with a few Earth Day gems to honor the season.
📄 To make things easy, you’ll find a printable guide for the Invitation to Play and Craft at the end of this newsletter.
Invitation to Play
Invite children to linger in the books they enjoy through simple, story-inspired activities that connect books to the natural world through sensory exploration. These activities are designed to bridge literature and outdoor exploration.
You’ll notice each invitation begins with “I wonder…”. - a phrase used often in Montessori programs. Rather than asking direct questions, I wonder statements open doors to discovery. It encourages children to slow down and notice details, engage their senses, and come to conclusions through their own experiences. It invites curiosity without pressure, leaving space for children to form their own ideas and interpretations.
Stone Soup
Materials
Pots, pails or buckets
Stones
Sticks
Water
Nature treasures (leaves, dried flowers, acorns, pinecones, etc.)
Introduction to Stone Soup
Inspired by the classic story that celebrates community and collaboration, this activity encourages little ones to transform stones, water, and natural items that surround us into a magnificent soup. Any of the books featured in the book recommendations could be creatively integrated into this activity, but this specifically bridges with Stone Soup.
Share the story of Stone Soup by Heather Forest, Illustrated by Susan Gaber.
As you read the story, reflect on the story’s deeper concepts, like empathy, sharing, kindness, and community. You may wish to encourage thoughtful conversation with these questions:
What problem were the travelers facing? [They were hungry and had no food.]
Why did the villagers hide their food at first? [They were afraid they didn’t have enough to share.]
Were the villagers happy or sad when they shared their food? [They were happy to help others and contribute to a delicious meal.]
How would you feel if you were hungry and someone shared their food with you?
I wonder…what could we use to make our own stone soup together?
Bring the story to life through nature play! Head outside and invite children to find nature treasures for their soup.
For groups: if you have more than one child, encourage them to make their own individual soups. You’ll combine them at the end of the activity.
Begin with a stone inside a pot of water, like the travelers. Spark imagination with prompts like:
“I think this soup would be better with a….[insert nature treasure].
“This magical soup would be even better if we had a….[insert nature treasure].
Allow children to take turns adding their finds and narrate their contributions. You can guide this portion of the activity, or simply let them take the lead.
As the activity winds down, combine the individual soups into one shared pot. Reflect on how each child’s unique contributions created a beautiful, one-of-a-kind soup.
End with a celebration of community, creativity, and kindness - the heart of Stone Soup.
Craft Corner
Extend the heart of this month’s stories with a simple craft.
Nature Mobile
Gather your materials:
Twine, or durable string.
Colorful paints
Alternative for less mess: different colors and patterns of washi tape.
Paint brushes
Scissors (for cutting twine)
Pony beads (or other beads, buttons)
Sticks, pinecones, and other nature treasures that can be hung.
Tip: choose one stick that is sturdy enough to hold the treasures that will hang from it.
Here’s what you do…
Prepare your workspace. Cover your surface with newspaper or a drop cloth to make clean-up easy.
Decorate your sticks. Paint the sticks using colorful paint, or wrap them with colorful washi tape.
How could you create new colors?
What would you name those colors?
Why did you choose the specific colors for their creation?
Let the sticks dry. While the paint is drying, move on to the next step!
Cut your twine. Cut several pieces of twine to size - one for each hanging piece of your mobile.
String your beads. Tie a knot at the bottom of the twine you use for beads. Add beads to the twine. If tying pinecones on the end, ensure there’s enough twine at the bottom to tie around the pinecones.
What pattern could you create?
What colors did you choose and why?
Attach twine to the painted sticks. Once the paint is dry, tie twine around oneend of each stick. Ensure the knots will hold.
Build the mobile. Choose one sturdy stick to be at the top of your mobile. Attach the decorated sticks and beaded strings to this sturdy stick.
Add a hanger. Tie a piece of twine to both ends of the sturdy stick so you can hang the mobile.
Hang and enjoy!
Book Recommendations + Reviews
Thoughtfully selected children’s books enjoyed by my kiddos! You’ll find a brief summary and a link to a full review so you can choose what resonates.
⭐️ Title featured in Invitation to Play
Kindness is a Kite String by Michelle Schaub, Illustrated by Claire LaForte:
With inclusive illustrations, and the power of similes and metaphors to encourage understanding, children are shown how kindness spreads. My favorite metaphor, “Kindness runs like dominoes. Reach out and tip a tile.” shows the ripple effect of kindness. This is a thoughtful, engaging read that sparks meaningful conversations.
⭐️ Stone Soup by Heather Forest, Illustrated by Susan Gaber:
This retelling of the classic tale follows two hungry travelers who arrive in a village where everyone is hesitant to share their food. With a clever idea and a single stone, they inspire the community to each contribute a small ingredient towards a delicious soup. This version includes gentle repetition throughout and a predictable structure, highlighting themes of sharing, kindness, and community.
Quill Soup by Alan Durant, Illustrated by Dale Blankenaar:
Another retelling of the original Stone Soup with animal characters native to the South African region. It follows a porcupine, Noko, on his journey to find food. Though Noko’s approach is somewhat sly (he openly suspects the villagers are being dishonest and responds with a bit of deception), his actions ultimately spark a spirit of generosity, ending on a heartwarming note.
Someone Just Like You by Helen Docherty, Illustrated by David Roberts:
A joyful and heart-filled celebration of our shared humanity. Through lively, rhythmic text and vibrant, playful illustrations, the book gently reminds readers that while we may look different, celebrate different traditions, and see the world through different windows, our feelings are universal.
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers:
A beautiful, heartfelt introduction to the wonder and complexity of our world. Witty, laugh-out-loud moments are woven throughout (appreciated by grown-ups), balanced by honest reflections on the diversity, beauty, and responsibility that come with living on this planet.
Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals, Illustrated by Ashley Wolff:
A fun and informative introduction to composting. Told in lively, rhythmic rhyme, this A-to-Z guide introduces readers to a wide variety of compost-friendly items. Vibrant collage illustrations crafted with scraps and recycled materials brings texture and creativity to every page.
Love, The Earth by Frances Stickley, Illustrated by Tom Hopgood:
A powerful ode to our planet. Written in lyrical, rhyming verse from the Earth’s perspective, this book reads like a love letter and a gentle plea: enjoy what I give, but care for me in return.
Wilder Child by Nicolette Sowder, Illustrated by Myo Yim:
A love letter to outdoor play and the unfiltered wonder children bring to nature. With simple yet lyrical text, the magic children find in exploring the outdoors is beautifully captured.
Thank you
Phew! I'm so glad you made it to the end. Below is a printable PDF of the Stone Soup and Nature mobile activities:
I'd love to hear from you:
What books do you turn to when nurturing empathy in little ones?
How do you help your child “catch” empathy in your daily routines?
📸 Tried an activity? Photos are encouraged! Share your insight and moments of play and discovery in the comments!
What’s Next?
Coming up on May 1st: A playful way to practice recognizing and understanding emotions — exploring both emotional and cognitive empathy.
This publication is delivered every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.
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What a wonderful newsletter, filled with great content! Will definitely be using the Stone Soup activity with my granddaughter. Thanks for sharing fantastic book recommendations as well.
Fantastic! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and book recommendations in your carefully crafted newsletter. highly recommend IF A BUMBLEBEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE by Cynthia Mackey. It is a picture book that showcases the loveliness of nature.