Big Ideas for Curious Minds

An Introduction to Philosophy

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on Waterstones.com
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 3 Sep 2019 | Archive Date 10 Apr 2019

Talking about this book? Use #BigIdeasForCuriousMinds #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

Children are, in many ways, born philosophers. This is a book designed to harness their spontaneous philosophical interest and develop it.

Without prompting children often ask some of the largest questions about time, mortality, happiness and the meaning of life. Yet all too often their inborn curiosity is not developed and, with age, the questions fall away. This book addresses some of their more complex questions by introducing accessible philosophical concepts from 25 famous thinkers, contextualized in relatable everyday scenarios. Presented in an interactive question and answer format this book takes us to meet leading figures of philosophy from around the world and from all eras—and shows us how their ideas continue to matter.

With discussions about some of the most vibrant and essential philosophical ideas of history, this accessible book functions as an ideal introduction to the subject as well as a charming way to open up conversations between children and adults about the biggest questions we all face.

Children are, in many ways, born philosophers. This is a book designed to harness their spontaneous philosophical interest and develop it.

Without prompting children often ask some of the largest...


Advance Praise

“This is an absolute must have for ALL children. It is absolutely fantastic and helps children understand a number of their daily struggles. In fact I take that previous comment back, this is an absolute must for EVERYONE. I have had read it from cover to cover, and as a 40 year old woman I have honestly learnt something new.” Freddies Mummy UK

“This is a beautifully produced book published by the School of Life (founded by well known philosopher Alain de Botton). It is a very accessible starting point for exploring philosophy and how philosophical ideas can be applied to everyday life, in fact it is very explicit about this.” Ewingel

I can't stop reading and talking about this book with others. It is easy to follow and great for an introduction to philosophy for kids. Well written, great illustrations, ideas and clever how it relates the philosphers' ideas to the lives and issues that children have. 5 stars!” Thomas Leesa

“The book itself is genius with an introduction to leading figures of philosophy from around the world from all eras. Along side that there are chapters teaching our children crucial lessons about life, about love, and about loss. Topics such as ‘Why you feel lonely’, ‘Politeness matters’, ‘People are unhappy not mean’, and ‘The mind-body problem’ offer invaluable insights into philosophy in a way that our children can really get on board with. When the book arrived and I had a quick glance through it, my immediate reaction was that it was far too old for my children. And yet when I took the time to start reading, and to admire the beautiful illustrations, I found myself still sat there, an hour later, realising that this was exactly the kind of book I want each of my children to read as they grow.” Five Little Doves

“The focus of these chapters are incredibly meaningful, some of my favourites include ‘People are unhappy, not mean’, ‘Learn to say what’s on your mind’, ‘Good things are (unexpectedly) hard’ and ‘Politeness matters’. The book has been written by the fantastic School of Life and it is suggested for curious minds aged 9+. I think most adults would also find these ideas incredibly helpful to reflect on; who doesn’t need reminding that when someone is angry, maybe it’s not you who is responsible?” Louise Treherne, Role Models

“Although Big Ideas for Curious Minds is aimed at children I have got a lot from it too – and I wish I had read it myself as a child… This book has taught me, and LP, new ways of thinking and new ways of being.” What the Redhead Said

“This is an absolute must have for ALL children. It is absolutely fantastic and helps children understand a number of their daily struggles. In fact I take that previous comment back, this is an...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9991999747145
PRICE US$24.99 (USD)

Average rating from 15 members


Featured Reviews

This is a brilliant look at some of the main concepts in philosophy. Not only would it make for an excellent resource for teachers, it’s written in such a way that it could be given to students as independent reading. With contemporary examples to base the theories on, its certain students of all abilities will understand.

Was this review helpful?

The books starts with real life problems/situations a child might face and different ideas to solve this problem. through the direct contrast of 'right/wrong' solutions the children can beautifully see how their actions influence further feedback.
After that, the reader gets introduced to a very different cast of thinkers and philosophs whose ideas about life and interaction are still valid today and helpful to truly start thinking about oneself and the influence we and our actions have in the world.

Great title I'd like to purchase for my kids.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book, it teaches children how to look at the world in a different way, and introduces them to different philosophers. I literally will be gifting it to all the children in my family.

Was this review helpful?

This is an unusual book for 10 to twelve years old talk about and explore philosophy, and how it affects their lives. It explains in easy stages about philosophy, and philosophers, and gives an example of each important person in the field.
The explanations are easily readable, and explains some of the more difficult concepts to understand. The articles about individual philosophers and their thoughts
My only concern with this book is that the print is very small, and printing on coloured backgrounds often makes it difficult to read.
However it is to be recommended to tell children about difficult concepts.

Was this review helpful?

Why does your best friend sometimes say things that make you feel bullied? Why did you just shout at your mum? Older children and teenagers often find it difficult to understand why they are experiencing strong feelings about different things and can't put the reasoning behind these feelings into perspective. This book meets this need by both answering their questions in an easy to understand format and then linking them to the viewpoint of some of the great philosophers. A lovely way of introducing philosophy and initiating conversations on some of the issues that children and young adults are experiencing. The quirky illustrations are wonderful too! A great book for inquisitive minds.

Note: In my opinion, buy as a book rather than the Kindle version.

Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this ARC for which I have given my voluntary and unbiased review.

Was this review helpful?

A interesting introduction to philosophy which challenges young teens to question and think - good concept!

Was this review helpful?

A timely and incredible introduction into philosophy for children. Exploring in-depth, yet accessible questions on time, mortality, happiness and the meaning of it all. Each chapter is intelligently focused around ideas and issues that will help and encourage children to develop an understanding to their own questions and struggles by approaching topics that children are most likely to encounter growing up. Some of my personal favourite chapters include 'When Someone is Angry, Maybe It's Not You Who is Responsible', 'Politeness Matters' and 'The News Doesn't Always Tell the Whole Story'.

Accompanied with quirky illustrative doodles and great philosophers biographies this is a book for reflection and thought, that even the most curious of minds will learn something new!

To read in small sections or devour in one sitting, Big Ideas for Curious Minds will spark questions and open conversations between adults and children about the biggest questions we all face.

Presented in a beautiful hardback, this book is essential reading for everyone - you're never told old to be presented with a new way of thinking.

Was this review helpful?

Firstly, I love the title of this book and secondly I like how it teaches children to ask questions about the things that happen around us and in our lives. There is a message / moral taught in every chapter which is backed up with evidence by a different philosopher throughout history. I love how easy to read the author has made it, making it suitable for children.

Was this review helpful?

This book is a little gem which kept me entertained as much as it would the target audience.
As a teacher something I'm always trying to encourage in students is to question, to query and to think about things ; this book is a ready made resource for this, with a variety of topics covered so the young person reading it is bound to find something to pique their interest. I used some of the questions as starting points for small discussions and essays with one of my classes.
The layout is very user friendly, the illustrations are wonderful and overall it is a very readable, accessible book.

Was this review helpful?

Big Ideas for Curious Minds: An Introduction to Philosophy is a superb way to capture a child's imagination in an accessible and clearly explained book, and it certainly wasn't a surprise to me when I learned this was a bestseller; it deserves all the acclaim it's received. Having been fascinated by Philosophy from a young age I had often wondered when someone would write a book that would pique a youngsters interest in this complex area. The adult texts I have are far too dense and heavy for a child to enjoy, so that's where this exquisite little non-fiction title comes in. I simply cannot express how amazing this is and the quirky, unique accompanying illustrations broke up the text nicely. One thing I have learned over the years is that children ponder life's big questions too; not just us adults. The book will stimulate young minds into considering many thought-provoking questions and answers are given throughout.

We encounter some of the most renowned and influential thinkers from a variety of eras - these include Friedrich Nietzsche, Adam Smith, Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre to name just a few. Each philosopher is given their own chapter and the short, pithy structure and length of the chapters entice you to keep reading. Well written and presented in an engaging way, this is a must-read for a parent wishing to broach these topics with their child/ren. Alongside extensively researched biographies of the thinkers we are introduced to their "big ideas", and I specifically liked the concise, child-friendly explanations. Although aimed at children I feel many adults could learn a lot from this book also. It should be in every library and school bookshelf. An absolute must-read. Unreservedly recommended. Many thanks to The School of Life for an ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: