A Sneetch is a Sneetch and Other Philosophical Discoveries : Finding Wisdom in Children's Literature (Paperback)

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