Laura and Paul

Laura and Paul is a story about two children who find philosophical wonderment in everyday life. Written to encourage children's critical and creative thinking, Laura and Paul is loved by children of all ages who identify with both the characters and the situations in the story. The story follows Laura and Paul at home and at school where they wonder about questions such as 'Are numbers real?', 'What is trust?', 'Is it fair to lock animals in cages?, 'What makes a picture beautiful?', 'What makes me the person I am?', 'How do we know what is true?'. The story transforms the ideas of great philosophers into recognisable situations from daily family life. Swept along by the plot twists and mysteries, the child (and adult) reader is introduced to philosophical puzzles and dilemmas which transport them effortlessly into the realm of philosophical wonder, thinking and reasoning. Enjoyed throughout the world by adults and children as young as six, 'Laura and Paul' transforms lives by showing how to find wonder, delight and mystery in what can appear to be mundane everyday life. Laura and Paul works on many different levels. Written in simple language which is accessible to young children, on the surface it is a story with mysteries and plot twists which children love. However each situation and event in the story is 'seeded' with deep philosophical puzzles and dilemmas. Some of these puzzles are easily recognised while other are embedded more deeply within the story. The book can be read simply as a story, or it can be used with groups of children as a stimulus to discussion and dialogue - as featured in the BBC documentary 'Socrates for Six year olds' where a class of six year old children can be seen having a philosophical dialogue about questions stimulated by Laura and Paul. Cover illustration by Mary Haight