‘Frog and Toad reveal some profound truths about what it means for all of us to be together in the world’

What are you reading now?

I'm reading The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, a wonderful story that includes a fig tree as a narrator!

What was the first book you loved?

I really loved the books by James Herriot when I was growing up, and I still do – it's probably my go-to comfort reading, as it somehow takes me to a place of peace and good living. I didn't grow up in the UK, so I didn't know about the long-running All Creatures Great and Small series on TV (though I'm now very much enjoying the new series out at the moment), but I remember devouring the books when I first discovered them in a library.

What is the role of books in our psychological growth?

Building empathy! I've been thinking a lot about this over the last ten years, because I've been working throughout that time with EmpathyLab, an organisation that shines a light on the development of empathy – and social action – through reading and sharing books and stories. In partnership with them, my collaborators and I are currently working on a UKRI-funded project on 'Reading Feelings', all about how reading books is linked to the development of empathy in childhood. I have been delighted to join an incredible group of children's authors at EmpathyLab events to celebrate Empathy Day each year.

So what books would you recommend for building empathy?

I would recommend that everybody takes a look at the EmpathyLab 'Read for Empathy' collections of children's books, which get released every year. There are just so many wonderful books out there that help us share, reflect on, and ask questions about characters' thoughts and feelings. One of my favourite discoveries when my own children were young – and frankly still some comfort reading for myself, even though it's aimed at early readers – was the charming set of books by Arnold Lobel about Frog and Toad. Through what seem like trivial everyday stories about eating cookies or going for a walk, Frog and Toad reveal some profound truths about what it means for all of us to be together in the world.

What was a book that you found really moving?

I was recently introduced to the work of the Irish writer, Donal Ryan, through his book All We Shall Know. I was captivated, drawn into the characters' lives in such an emotionally powerful way. I'm in awe at how authors are able to do this. 

Which book do you find therapeutic to read?

It's another go-to author for me – Anne Tyler. I loved The Accidental Tourist when I first read it (and the film adaptation was terrific too) and I've enjoyed all her other books too. She effortlessly draws us into the quirkiness of life in Baltimore, yet somehow manages to bring out what feel like universal truths about being human.

What is a book that made you laugh?

I've got to pick The Far Side.

I have lots of Gary Larson's books of cartoons, and there's just something unique about the way he holds a mirror up to our lives that appeals to my sense of humour. Oh, and he also somehow manages to nail the subtle ironies of life in scientific research!

And I want to choose another one – Shel Silverstein's poetry, like Where the Sidewalk Ends. The off-beat poems, making you laugh as well as making you stop to think, were a brilliant introduction to poetry for me and I loved passing them onto my children too.

Bookshelves should be: in alphabetical order/free range

Free range! I know that means you can't easily find the book you're looking for, which can be annoying, but on the other hand, it also means you can stumble across a wonderful surprise, which is just an absolute delight.  

Last pages: I sneak a peek/never look!

Never look! I just love the not knowing!

Robin Banerjee is a professor of developmental psychology at the University of Sussex and an expert adviser to the EmpathyLab, an organisation which aims to build children's empathy through literature.

He is a keynote speaker at the European Congress of Psychology in Brighton.