Picturebooks, Pedagogy and Philosophy

"Philosophy is the main focus of this thought-provoking book. Building on and extending the ideas of philosophy for children that were developed in the mid-1990s, the authors argue for a community of inquiry where children, using picture books as a stimulus, do philosophy by examining the questions that the books raise through the gap between the text and the visual images. Children often pick up more on the visual, while adults tend to focus more on words. The authors' criteria for selecting appropriate books are useful. Teachers need to learn alongside children and be willing to enter unknown territories and not seek to control children by controlling the discussion. Children as well as teachers should generate questions. Haynes and Murris's analysis of the educational trends in Great Britain is also applicable to education in the US. Their questions about the nature of childhood and the impact of postmodernism on teaching and learning practices should generate discussion among teachers, whom the authors feel would also benefit from doing philosophy. Rich with information and insights, this is a valuable addition to discussions of education. Summing Up: Highly Recommended."-- S. Sugarman, emerita, Bennington College,Vermont State Colleges in CHOICE