Thomas E Wartenberg

A Sneetch Is a Sneetch and Other Philosophical Discoveries

Finding Wisdom in Children's Literature

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

That children's picture books can be a source of engaging but puzzling philosophical ideas and theories is an intriguing idea, and reflects the notion that children are natural born philosophers. In A Sneetch is a Sneetch and Other Philosophical Discoveries, Tom Wartenberg illuminates the surprisingly profound thought found in sixteen picture books, from Dr. Seuss's Sneetches to William Steig's Shrek! With a light touch and good humor, Wartenberg explains and discusses the philosophical ideas in these classic stories, from ethics to aesthetics, from theories of knowledge to the nature of reality. Wartenberg provides a unique introduction to philosophical ideas using children's books as a starting point for valuable and engaging discussions between children and their parents, and as a means of helping parents and children both get more out of the books they read together. With original illustrations and written in an accessible style, A Sneetch is a Sneetch provides an interesting and imaginative point of access to the depths of philosophy... and children's picture books.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Wiley
• Seitenzahl: 176
• Erscheinungstermin: 29. April 2013
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 239mm x 160mm x 15mm
• Gewicht: 372g
• ISBN-13: 9780470656785
• ISBN-10: 0470656786
• Artikelnr.: 37240040

Autorenporträt

Thomas E. Wartenberg is Professor of Philosophy at Mount Holyoke College, USA. He founded the Teaching Children Philosophy program, which won the 2011 APA/PDC Prize for Excellence and Innovation in Philosophy Programs. Its website, www.teachingchildrenphilosophy.org, receives tens of thousands of visits monthly. Professor Wartenberg's 13 books as author or editor include Big Ideas for Little Kids: Teaching Philosophy through Children's Literature (2009), Existentialism: A Beginner's Guide (2008), and The Philosophy of Film: Introductory Text and Readings (Wiley-Blackwell, 2005), which he co-edited with Angela Curran. He has been awarded Senior Fulbright Fellowships to Germany and New Zealand, as well as a National Endowment for the Humanities Research Fellowship. He has also directed two National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Seminars for School Teachers.

Inhaltsangabe

Acknowledgments ix

''Why? Why? Why?'': Children,Philosophy, and Picture Books 1

1 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Can You Get Wet Swimming in anImaginary Ocean? 7

2 The Important Book: Is a Leopard without Its Spots Still aLeopard? 16

3 Shrek!: Could a Dead Skunk Smell Good? 24

4 Let's Do Nothing!: Can You Just Do Nothing at All?33

5 Knuffle Bunny: How Do You Know I'm Angry If IDon't Say So? 42

6 Many Moons: Do Experts Really Know More? 48

7 Yellow and Pink: Could Human Life Have Arisen Purely byChance? 55

8 Morris the Moose: How Do You Know When You've Made aMistake? 63

9 Emily's Art: What's the Difference between Sayingthe Mona Lisa Is a Great Painting and Vanilla Is Your FavoriteFlavor? 71

10 Miss Nelson Is Missing!: Is It Okay for Adults to DeceiveKids? 81

11 The Giving Tree: How Can It Be Wrong to Give Someone WhatThey Want? 90

12 ''Cookies'': What Good Is HavingWill-Power If You Don't Have Any More Cookies? 100

13 Frederick: Can You Enjoy Doing Something Even If It'sWork? 109

14 The Sneetches: Isn't It All Right to Discriminate inChoosing Your Friends? 116

15 The Paper Bag Princess:What's Wrong with''Living Happily Ever After''? 125

16 The Big Orange Splot: Is There Anything Wrong withConformity? 132

Taking Picture Books Seriously 142

Who's Who: Thumbnail Biographies of the Philosophers145

What's What: Key Philosophical Terms 156

Next Steps: Additional Philosophical Picture Books 160

More Next Steps: Digging Deeper into Philosophy 163

Rezensionen

"This is a great resource for those interested inpre-college philosophy and in elementary education, and for parentsgenerally. It also will be useful to upper-level philosophyand education students looking for novel approaches within theirdisciplines. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers." (Choice, 1 November 2013)

"Filled with humor and keen insights, A Sneetch is a Sneetchand other Philosophical Discoveries is essential reading foranyone with an interest in philosophy or children's literature -and by anyone, I mean anyone - from the mom or dad looking forsomething interesting to read to their toddler, to writers of everyilk, and yes, even full fledge, academically inclined philosophers.Happy pondering!!." (History in Review, 3 June2013)

"This is a wonderful book. Written with humor and clarity,it's a primer/refresher on philosophy and ethics. Wartenberg useschildren's books to tackle the kinds of profound questions kidsask: is it possible to do nothing? What makes a leopard a leopardand not a dog? How can it be wrong to give someone what they want?The book shows the way to discussions in the realm of ideas withyour kids, using their favorite picture books. Good picture booksprovoke good questions, and then the fun of thinking and talkingabout all the possible answers."

--Mordicai Gerstein, Caldecott winning author of The ManWho Walked Between the Towers

"Wartenberg simultaneously shows the philosophical seriousnessof children's literature and the childlike wonder of philosophy.Completely convincing and utterly charming."

--Claudia Mills, Philosophy Department, University ofColorado at Boulder, and award-winning children's book author