A Sneetch Is a Sneetch

I've taught Philosophy to children many times in the past and always used Marietta McCarty's excellent book, Little Big Minds.

Little Big Minds: Sharing Philosophy with Kids
by Marietta McCarty

I have lots of notes on my website here. I've also recently discovered Thomas Wartenberg's book A Sneetch is a Sneetch and Other Philosophical Discoveries: Finding Wisdom in Children's Literature. I'm excited to try it!
I don't know if he taught at Mount Holyoke when I was there, but maybe...

In case you're interested, here is the list of picture books he includes:

Harold and the Purple Crayon
Can you get wet swimming in an imaginary ocean?

The Important Book
Is a leopard without its spots still a leopard?

Shrek!
Could a dead skunk smell good?

Let's Do Nothing!
Can you just do nothing at all?

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
How do you know I'm angry if I don't say so?

Many Moons
Do experts really know more?

Yellow & Pink
Could human life have arisen purely by chance?

Morris the Moose
How do you know when you've made a mistake?

Emily's Art
What's the difference between saying the Mona Lisa is a great painting and vanilla is your favorite flavor?

Miss Nelson Is Missing!
Is it okay for adults to deceive kids?

The Giving Tree
How can it be wrong to give someone what they want?

Frog and Toad Together
"Cookies"
What good is having will-power if you don't have any more cookies?

Frederick
Can you enjoy doing something even if it's work?

The Sneetches and Other Stories
"The Sneetches"
Isn't it all right to discriminate in choosing your friends?

The Paper Bag Princess
What's wrong with 'living happily ever after'?

The Big Orange Splot
Is there anything wrong with conformity?

~ ~ ~

This came up today when we got to the Ancient Greece chapter in Poop Happened. I read her Wise Guy but there's so much more we could do!

Wise Guy: The Life and Philosophy of Socrates
by M.D. Usher

There are many FREE online resources for teaching philosophy to kids. This webpage in particular is FANTASTIC! "Most of the modules were created by students in Tom Wartenberg’s Philosophy for Children class at Mount Holyoke College. For each story or book, you will find a summary of the plot, a discussion of the main philosophical issues raised by the books, and a series of questions that can be used to initiate philosophical discussion of the story or book with children. Many have been edited by Jayme Johnson and Tom."

Definitely check it out! I guarantee there will be a lesson for at least one -- and probably many -- of the picture books you have on your shelf right now.

Book Modules
teachingchildrenphilosophy.org

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