"Many children are exploring deep thoughts, but never have a chance to verbalize them or interact with responsible adults concerning them. They hear messages of anarchy and self-destruction in popular music, see self-destructive individualism destroying their homes, and find materialism bombarding them through commercials and street signs. Why should they wait until high school or college to think more deeply about these bigger ideas that have such practical implications to daily life?"

Steve Miller, President, Legacy Educational Resources, www.character-education.info, USA 

“My son is almost 4 years old and has already begun asking big questions such as, "Why do people die?", "When did the days first start?", "What is behind space?" and my favourite question..."Where was I before I was born?"
I love these kinds of questions but I sometimes wonder how I should respond, considering he's so young...especially stuff about death. I'd personally be interested in reading about philosophy for kids. I think it's a great idea."

Sandra Pascuzzi, Educator, York Catholic Board of Education

“Philosophy is bone simple. Wonder and curiosity about the world and willingness to engage in good conversation and reflection are available to anyone who wants [these things]…A sense of self-importance gallops through American society. [We’ve lost] our sense of humour and much-needed humility [and] the refrain “I’m too busy” echoes everywhere. What about perspective? How can a video game be more important than talking about the true meaning of happiness? How can a trip to the mall pre-empt taking a hard look at bullying and cliques? It’s clear that several generations have forgotten to discuss the essential meaning of responsibility. Ideas motivate our actions and our choices. We need to think and talk about ideas again for personal as well as national health.” (from her website, www.littlebigminds.com, with her permission)

“The world at this point is in desperate need of rearranged priorities.  Exposing kids to the world of ideas is in vogue. Schools have been adopting my book in the US. -  an entire school district K-12 in Massachusetts, middles schools, elementary schools - and in many cases parents are starting book clubs to read and discuss my book. Some schools send assignments home for kids and parents to do together.”

Marietta McCarty, Teacher/Educational Consultant, Author of Little Big Minds (Instructional book for teachers and parents bringing Philosophy into the primary classroom), USA

 “I took a look at your website and my first thought was that my son would think this was very cool.  The construct of thinking outside the box very much feeds the wildly creative (and questioning) mind of kids like mine.  My son gobbles ideas and theories like candy.  And as a parent, finding opportunities – whether by web, course, or book – to encourage a broadening of his already fantastic connect-the-dot thought patterns, is great.”

Jennifer, Parent, Mississauga, ON

“Character development initiatives are a subject of great importance.  As the founder of Charmed Integrity School, I am well-acquainted with the need for children to think critically, take responsibility for their own actions, and be aware of the needs of others around them.  Philosophy literature for children is an excellent way for children become aware of important personal and social issues, and for their parents and teachers to facilitate discussion and foster thinking skills.”

Lisa Rosano, President, Charmed Integrity School, Oakville, Ontario

"Philosophy is all about wondering together. Not to demystify the world, but instead to open up for new questions and hidden depths. Philosophy is just the thing for children because in philosophy one is allowed to continue the play, only this time not with bicycles or footballs, but with thoughts, words and propositions. The children shall not in philosophy turn away from their play and their adventures, rather they shall be given the opportunity to carry their thoughts with them into the play and the adventure. Because, as we shall see in a moment, children are actually fully capable of submitting both playful and imaginative questions. The child's world is a world of play and adventure. The philosophical challenge for us adults is not to deliver them as safely as possible from this world of play, but on the contrary to make towards them there! For play and fantasy are intimately intertwined with the very nature of philosophy.”

Øyvind Olsholt, Author and Educator, Children and Youth Philosophers Norway (passage taken from Philosophy in School, with permission from the author)

“Most children are naturally interested in the large and puzzling questions of philosophy. Introducing philosophy to elementary school age students is a powerful way to help children grapple with questions they are already wondering about: Why is it important to be fair? What is friendship? What does it mean to be a good person and why should we try to be good? In some ways, young children are the ideal philosophers, because they are not burdened with long-held and often unexamined assumptions about what they know about the world. They assume they know very little. Talking about philosophy with children, in addition to helping them to develop reasoning skills and an enhanced ability to examine novel issues critically and imaginatively, allows adults to learn from the open perspectives children bring to philosophical discussions.”

Jana Mohr Lone, Director, Northwest Center for Philosophy for Children, Department of Philosophy, University of Washington

“It seems to me as if kids have a natural abundance of curiosity, and thus are quite predisposed to living the examined life, and that such a book for young people would have to really work by sending the subliminal message to the parents to not thwart the natural disposition of children to examine life…”

Steve Stokes, Moderator of “Philosophy Café” (online discussion group), USA