A sneetch is a sneetch and other philosophical discoveries : finding wisdom in children's literature

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A sneetch is a sneetch and other philosophical discoveries : finding wisdom in children's literature

Thomas E. Wartenberg ; illustrations by JoyKinigstein

Wiley-Blackwell, 2013

  • : cloth
  • : pbk

Available at  / 4 libraries

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Includes bibliographical references

Description and Table of Contents

Volume

: cloth ISBN 9780470656785

Description

Taking Picture Books Seriously: What can we learn about philosophy through children's books? This warm and charming volume casts a spell on adult readers as it unveils the surprisingly profound philosophical wisdom contained in children's picture books, from Dr Seuss's Sneetches to William Steig's Shrek!. With a light touch and good humor, Wartenberg discusses the philosophical ideas in these classic stories, and provides parents with a practical starting point for discussing philosophical issues with their children. Accessible and multi-layered, it answers questions like, Is it okay for adults to deceive kids? What's the difference between saying the Mona Lisa is a great painting and vanilla is your favorite flavor? Each chapter includes illustrations commissioned especially for this book.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix ''Why? Why? Why?'': Children, Philosophy, and Picture Books 1 1 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Can You Get Wet Swimming in an Imaginary Ocean? 7 2 The Important Book: Is a Leopard without Its Spots Still a Leopard? 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 I Don't Say So? 42 6 Many Moons: Do Experts Really Know More? 48 7 Yellow and Pink: Could Human Life Have Arisen Purely by Chance? 55 8 Morris the Moose: How Do You Know When You've Made a Mistake? 63 9 Emily's Art: What's the Difference between Saying the Mona Lisa Is a Great Painting and Vanilla Is Your Favorite Flavor? 71 10 Miss Nelson Is Missing!: Is It Okay for Adults to Deceive Kids? 81 11 The Giving Tree: How Can It Be Wrong to Give Someone What They Want? 90 12 ''Cookies'': What Good Is Having Will-Power If You Don't Have Any More Cookies? 100 13 Frederick: Can You Enjoy Doing Something Even If It's Work? 109 14 The Sneetches: Isn't It All Right to Discriminate in Choosing 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 with Conformity? 132 Taking Picture Books Seriously 142 Who's Who: Thumbnail Biographies of the Philosophers 145 What's What: Key Philosophical Terms 156 Next Steps: Additional Philosophical Picture Books 160 More Next Steps: Digging Deeper into Philosophy 163
Volume

: pbk ISBN 9780470656839

Description

Taking Picture Books Seriously: What can we learn about philosophy through children's books? This warm and charming volume casts a spell on adult readers as it unveils the surprisingly profound philosophical wisdom contained in children's picture books, from Dr Seuss's Sneetches to William Steig's Shrek!. With a light touch and good humor, Wartenberg discusses the philosophical ideas in these classic stories, and provides parents with a practical starting point for discussing philosophical issues with their children. Accessible and multi-layered, it answers questions like, Is it okay for adults to deceive kids? What's the difference between saying the Mona Lisa is a great painting and vanilla is your favorite flavor? Each chapter includes illustrations commissioned especially for this book.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix ''Why? Why? Why?'': Children, Philosophy, and Picture Books 1 1 Harold and the Purple Crayon: Can You Get Wet Swimming in an Imaginary Ocean? 7 2 The Important Book: Is a Leopard without Its Spots Still a Leopard? 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 I Don't Say So? 42 6 Many Moons: Do Experts Really Know More? 48 7 Yellow and Pink: Could Human Life Have Arisen Purely by Chance? 55 8 Morris the Moose: How Do You Know When You've Made a Mistake? 63 9 Emily's Art: What's the Difference between Saying the Mona Lisa Is a Great Painting and Vanilla Is Your Favorite Flavor? 71 10 Miss Nelson Is Missing!: Is It Okay for Adults to Deceive Kids? 81 11 The Giving Tree: How Can It Be Wrong to Give Someone What They Want? 90 12 ''Cookies'': What Good Is Having Will-Power If You Don't Have Any More Cookies? 100 13 Frederick: Can You Enjoy Doing Something Even If It's Work? 109 14 The Sneetches: Isn't It All Right to Discriminate in Choosing 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 with Conformity? 132 Taking Picture Books Seriously 142 Who's Who: Thumbnail Biographies of the Philosophers 145 What's What: Key Philosophical Terms 156 Next Steps: Additional Philosophical Picture Books 160 More Next Steps: Digging Deeper into Philosophy 163

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