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Big Ideas for Little Philosophers
Big Ideas for Little Philosophers: Equality with Simone de Beauvoir
Answering life's big questions for little children, this board book explains Simone de Beauvoir's beliefs about equality and respect in a simple, accessible way.
Even little children can become philosophers by asking big questions about the world around them. Simone de Beauvoir believed that everybody should have the same opportunities to be happy, and to be themselves. In Equality with Simone de Beauvoir, this idea is explained for the youngest thinkers, from treating people with respect to listening to who you are on the inside. This book will inspire little ones to have exciting thoughts and conversations about these big ideas.
'A philosopher is a person who loves wisdom.
Wisdom means knowing things that help you live better and be happy.'
Even little children can become philosophers by asking big questions about the world around them. Simone de Beauvoir believed that everybody should have the same opportunities to be happy, and to be themselves. In Equality with Simone de Beauvoir, this idea is explained for the youngest thinkers, from treating people with respect to listening to who you are on the inside. This book will inspire little ones to have exciting thoughts and conversations about these big ideas.
'A philosopher is a person who loves wisdom.
Wisdom means knowing things that help you live better and be happy.'
20 pages, Board Book
Published August 20, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 16, 2020
This board book is rather odd. It addresses the importance of equality between the sexes, emphasizing that boys and girls should follow their own interests and preferences without reference to externally imposed stereotypes. This is all very well, but I'm not sure how well a board book series can capture the ideas or beliefs of significant philosophical figures. I don't know much about Simone de Beauvoir, but even though this book introduces her to children, it does so in a way that is so simplified that it's basically just an introduction to not stereotyping people, and doesn't truly engage with her legacy or work.
I also thought that the message that "You can be a philosopher too!" was a bit much. Certainly, a child can, but being a philosopher involves a lot more than just parroting simplistic ideas. This book doesn't really engage with what philosophy is, and even though it cannot, since it is a board book, I would rather see a series like this written for a slightly older age range, instead of being so reductive and simple.
I also thought that the message that "You can be a philosopher too!" was a bit much. Certainly, a child can, but being a philosopher involves a lot more than just parroting simplistic ideas. This book doesn't really engage with what philosophy is, and even though it cannot, since it is a board book, I would rather see a series like this written for a slightly older age range, instead of being so reductive and simple.
April 5, 2022
Perfecto para motivar y enseñar valores a los niños, niñas y adultos, mientras aprendes un poco de filosofía.
September 22, 2021
This is a book I read for a grad school class (MLIS and Education), and at first I was so happy I chose it. A philosopher teaching about equality? What a win. However, here are my thoughts after I read it and started writing about this book for my assignment:
After reading this story, I decided to look up Simone de Beauvoir. I wanted to learn more about this philosopher that believed in equality for people at a time when women were barely anything more than homemakers. Part of me is happy that I researched her more, but on the other hand I think it may have been better if I didn’t. What I learned about Simone is that while she was a teacher, she had inappropriate relationships with multiple students she taught (Viney, 1996). Learning this information made me see this book in a vastly different light. This information made me re-analyze and reevaluate the book and if it were a book I would want to use for a program or recommend. While I think I would recommend it to some families, I cannot see myself using this book in programs or displays based off the information I learned after reading the book. I think as librarians, it is important for us to understand the people stories are written about and to make a conscious decision about whether they are stories and people we want to give a platform to. For me, Simone de Beauvoir is not someone I would give a platform to.
After reading this story, I decided to look up Simone de Beauvoir. I wanted to learn more about this philosopher that believed in equality for people at a time when women were barely anything more than homemakers. Part of me is happy that I researched her more, but on the other hand I think it may have been better if I didn’t. What I learned about Simone is that while she was a teacher, she had inappropriate relationships with multiple students she taught (Viney, 1996). Learning this information made me see this book in a vastly different light. This information made me re-analyze and reevaluate the book and if it were a book I would want to use for a program or recommend. While I think I would recommend it to some families, I cannot see myself using this book in programs or displays based off the information I learned after reading the book. I think as librarians, it is important for us to understand the people stories are written about and to make a conscious decision about whether they are stories and people we want to give a platform to. For me, Simone de Beauvoir is not someone I would give a platform to.
April 28, 2021
Simone de Beauvoir was all about equality. Boys and girls should be treated the same and can do what they want - this will make them happy. She also said that boys and girls cry when they are sad. We should be ourselves and care about others.
Great multicultural characters in the illustrations, and I like the little lessons in the book, like what makes you sad or happy. I do like that we are teaching about the philosophers as such a young age, and while it seems the parents will enjoy these more than the toddlers, I think the activities are valid and important.
Crossposted to:http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
Great multicultural characters in the illustrations, and I like the little lessons in the book, like what makes you sad or happy. I do like that we are teaching about the philosophers as such a young age, and while it seems the parents will enjoy these more than the toddlers, I think the activities are valid and important.
Crossposted to:http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
May 23, 2022
yay, this one was great (considering it's for little kids). very understandable and important. the only thing that kinda bothered me (I usually like it when they ask the kid a question during the story) was the question 'what makes you cry?'. like, okay, you told them that girls can cry and boys can cry too, but why would you need the child to try and think of something like that and possibly ruin their experience? (isn't the very best word but I can't describe it better atm). anyway, I recommend it to everyone, if you happen to spare 5 minutes of your time, go to a bookstore (preferably Martinus Nivky viete ako wink wink...) and read it in one sitting!
February 4, 2024
As a new parent working to get our child into books I generally love this series and even like the messaging in this book. After reading it I was inspired to learn more about Simone De Beauvoir. However, I was disappointed to find that in addition to her feminist message, she also appears to have complicated issues in her personal life relating to allegations of sexual abuse among other things. Therefore, I do not think it is appropriate to present her as a role model for children in this context. I wish the authors would have picked one of the many other potential feminist role models to deliver the same message.
September 28, 2020
The artwork is colorful, and a bit loud in places.
An interesting little book about (gender) equality and I like the fact that this introduces little ones to the name of Simone de Beauvoir (what she stood for is of course much more complicated than what is presented in these few pages).
That being said, the last page sort of ruined it for me, giving the impression that a philosopher is one that is about equality, when there is so much more to it.
In conclusion, A for effort and intention, C for execution.
I received a copy for review from Edelweiss, opinions are my own.
An interesting little book about (gender) equality and I like the fact that this introduces little ones to the name of Simone de Beauvoir (what she stood for is of course much more complicated than what is presented in these few pages).
That being said, the last page sort of ruined it for me, giving the impression that a philosopher is one that is about equality, when there is so much more to it.
In conclusion, A for effort and intention, C for execution.
I received a copy for review from Edelweiss, opinions are my own.
January 12, 2024
I can't believe how good this series is. I never thought of teaching about famous people whilst sharing these kinds of ideas. I mean, lots of picture-books are about the idea that girls and boys and everyone should just be who they are, and everyone should be kind and respectful to everyone else, but to attach Simone de Beauvoir to a board book, well, that's brilliant.
April 28, 2024
The Little Philosophers books almost always result in a Google deep dive about the protagonist to determine whether the board book is true to the individual. I think this one is pretty solid on aligning to message and being accessible to little ones. The protagonist's story is tinged, though, by the report of sexual abuse, so I agree with others that another philosopher could be chosen. Gloria Steinem could be a good option!
February 3, 2026
My daughter is about three and a half now, we read it quite a bit before she turned three.
I really liked this book, she was never as interested in it. It is a classic parenting dilemma. My daughter has no concept that she will not be treated equally as a woman in the world until a book like this introduces the concept. Is it better to introduce the idea and rebut it early or wait until the world bears down on her?
I really liked this book, she was never as interested in it. It is a classic parenting dilemma. My daughter has no concept that she will not be treated equally as a woman in the world until a book like this introduces the concept. Is it better to introduce the idea and rebut it early or wait until the world bears down on her?
Read
March 4, 2024Yes, it's very simplistic of de Beauvoir's body of work, but it's a board book. Those are meant for the youngest "readers." It does take a difficult philosophy and attempts to put it in age-appropriate language. I am of the mind that kids can learn about anything as long as it's done age-appropriately. Plus, it just tickled me to see this book. I didn't encounter de Beauvoir until my undergrad.
July 11, 2020
What a fantastic series for a little one! A great way to introduce some interesting vocabulary and it seems pretty crazy that Simone de Beauvoir's ideas of gender equality are only just starting to be really embraced, even if it still isn't enough. A wonderful message that rings true today!
July 21, 2020
This thoughtful and beautifully illustrated book introduces kids to philosophy and philosopher Simone de Beauvoir in an accessible way and encourages them to ask big questions!
August 4, 2020
Such a great little book with big ideas for little people on how to be better people. Love it!
August 27, 2020
This would be so cute for a kinder storytime, with engaging questions and attention-grabbing illustrations
September 29, 2020
Perfect ideas with perfect vocabulary, tone, and illustrations. Fabulous job. Highly recommend
November 23, 2020
Argh! the CUTENESS of educating kids on de Beauvoir!
March 8, 2021
A cute little book for future philosophers!
December 29, 2023
No esperaba mucho, pero estuvo bien, sencillo pero con buen contenido, recomiendo.
January 4, 2024
Uit een serie van 4
December 27, 2019
It is hard to write a review for a children’s book about de Beauvoir. She’s such a controversial, enigmatic figure on so many fronts, but I guess this is a good G-rated introduction about a very basic philosophic tenet of hers.
February 17, 2023
Sé que está dirigido a niños, pero me ha parecido que lanza conceptos complicados de manera muy simplista.
Y lo de poner "Simone de Beauvoir" en el título es una excusa, porque no se dice casi nada de la filósofa.
Y lo de poner "Simone de Beauvoir" en el título es una excusa, porque no se dice casi nada de la filósofa.
Want to Read
February 1, 2020Note: I accessed a digital review copy through Edelweiss.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews