Ten of the Best Books to Introduce Children to Philosophy
10
John Newman chooses ten of the best books for encouraging children to think for themselves, and to initiate philosophical discussion.
Over ten years ago I was invited by Lisa Naylor to share and sell books to individuals undertaking P4C (Philoso- phy for Children) training at Gallion’s Primary School in the London Borough of Newham.
This involves my bringing a display of books and undertaking a ten minute lunchtime presentation of new and established titles to course providers and recipients of the training. Attendees usually include teaching staff from early years, primary and secondary settings who want to incorporate P4C into their school curriculum. The focus of the training is to promote dialogue between children using a stimulus to inspire creative and imaginative thinking. Picture books are an ideal resource for this; sometimes the whole book might be used, but in many instances a double page spread might stand alone as a method of enquiry. (For further information visit
www.sapere.org.uk/ and
www.gallions.newham.sch.uk/ )
Here are ten books which have become core texts in my ever-growing and changing book displays.
What Are You Playing At? Marie-Sabine Roger and Anne Sol, Alanna Books in conjunction with Amnesty International, 978-1-9078-2502- 6, £12.99 hbk
I love the way this book cleverly challenges the reader to think about a range of gender stereotypes involving a number of day-to- day activities and linking them to the roles adults take on in our society. The book is split into two sections – ‘Boys Don’t’ and ‘Girls Don’t’ – and then presents an image to acknowledge and challenge the statement. This encourages the reader to think about the image presented and what it
tells us about everyday assumptions around gender and gender roles.
How to Live Forever Colin Thompson, Red Fox, 978-0-0994-6181-4, £7.99 pbk The idea of a library which comes to life and contains whole worlds within the pages of every book ever written is beautifully imagined on the page in both the words and illustrations. A boy named Peter sets out to find the missing library card which will enable him to access the secrets of immortality. On doing so he finally meets and has a dialogue with the Ancient Child, the only person to have read the book, who informs him that ‘to live forever is not to live at all’ and invites him to make a profound choice.
I Have the Right to Be a Child Alain Serres, illus Aurelia Fronty, translated by Sarah Ardizzone, Phoenix Yard Books, 978-1-9079-1211-5, £7.99 pbk
Utilising the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child this is an ideal resource for both informing and challenging children to think about ‘rights’ in terms of what they mean in principle and practice.
It
also encourages them to consider what rights mean for both themselves and children in other parts of this turbulent and ever changing world. Using simple and accessible
language and safety and difference, drawing upon everyday expectations and hopes.
Ask Me Antje Damm, Frances Lincoln, 978-1-8478-0125-8, £9.99 pbk
This book is a real gift to anyone engaging with children.
The idea is simple but
effective: collect a range of mainly open- ended questions – such as ‘What can you do better than your mum and dad?’ – and match them to an image. Children can reflect, and share their thoughts and feelings in relation to different experiences all of which contribute to their emerging sense of self. I have never tired of introducing this book to people.
bold,
colourful double page spreads, it provides a stimulus for discussing notions of identity,
4 Books for Keeps No.214 September 2015
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34