Hannah Arendt's Little Theater (Plato & Co.)

At its most basic, philosophy is about learning how to think about the world around us. It should come as no surprise, then, that children make excellent philosophers! Plato & Co. introduces children—and curious grown-ups—to the lives and work of famous philosophers, from Socrates to Descartes, Einstein, Marx, and Wittgenstein. Each book in the series features an engaging—and often funny—story that presents basic tenets of philosophical thought alongside vibrant color illustrations.

In Hannah Arendt’s Little Theater, the philosopher Hannah Arendt is about to finish her last book, but she is sure something is missing. As she puzzles over her words, she is visited by a friend from the past—none other than her nine-year-old self! Reluctantly, she accepts young Hannah’s helping hand, joining the small blue-cardiganed girl on an adventure through the streets of New York City to a tiny theater where they watch a frightening play about a town terrorized by an evil wolf and his pack of puppets. But, even in the blackest moments, when evil seems sure to prevail, it is always possible to turn things around. Could the same be said of the “theater” of the real world, in which real people come together to create change?

Plato & Co.’s clear approach and charming illustrations make this series the perfect addition to any little library.