The present article explores the cultivation of a ‘philosophical ear’ by using picture books/illustrated books as tools for fostering philosophical inquiry in the practice of Philosophy for/with Children. Connecting the concept of the philosophical ear with philosophical sensitivity, the study proposes the word ‘philosophyness’ to refer to the disposition to engage with fundamental questions. Using a self-study methodology, the paper offers practical examples from dialogues with children, demonstrating how questioning books with open-ended and ambiguous narratives can engage young learners in philosophical dialogue. The aim is to inspire educators to cultivate their ‘philosophyness’ by developing a philosophical ear and using questioning books to nurture this disposition.

Read the full article at the Journal of Philosophy in Schools.