Big Ideas for Curious Minds

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.