An ugly duckling runs away from home after being picked on about the way he looks. Along his adventures, he learns a lot about himself and others

Spark conversation with:

• Why did mother duck take care of an egg that wasn’t her’s?
  
• Why did the other animals pick on him?
  
• Should we pick on anyone because of the way they look? Why not?
  
• Is there ever a good reason to pick on anyone?
  
• If you saw someone picking on someone else what would you do?
  
• When could helping someone be dangerous for you?
  
• The ugly duckling ran away when he got picked-on. Do you ever think it would ever be smart to run away from home?
  
• What does it mean to be beautiful?
  
• What would it be like to be able to fly?
  
• Do you have to know what it’s like to be sad in order to be happy?
  

Where to get the book:

https://www.openrightslibrary.com/the-ugly-duckling-andersen-ebook-text/

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

This is episode #9 of our series on Aesop's Fables. Aesop was a Greek storyteller and slave that lived back around 600 BCE. Wow, that's old! The stories have been added to and changed over the years through oral tradition. They are great short stories that teach good lessons.

How to find the stories:

http://www.read.gov/aesop/

In this episode:

The Oxen & the Wheels

The Shepherd Boy & the Wolf

The Farmer & the Stork

The Sheep & the Pig

The Travelers & the Purse

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

Frog and Toad go for a swim and Toad doesn’t feel great about his bathing suit.

Discussion starters:

• Why do you think Toad wears a bathing suit?
  
• If Toad doesn’t want anyone to see him in his bathing suit why does he wear it?
  
• Does Frog do the right thing telling the others to stay away?
  
• Do you think any of the animals on the riverbank would have noticed Toads swimsuit if Frog didn’t say anything?
  
• When does it make people feel good to laugh at them?
  
• When does it make people feel bad to laugh at them?
  
• How do you know when it’s ok to laugh at someone?
  
• Do you think Toad's feelings are hurt at the end of the story?
  
• Does what someone wears have anything to do with whether they are a good person?
  
• What should have the other animals done?
  

Where to get the book:

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/frog-and-toad-are-friends-arnold-lobel?variant=32206167441442

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

A trunk of toys is found and a special woman offers to help them change how they look.

Spark conversation with:

• Beagle asked for a new leg. Was that ok? Why or Why not?
  
• Dolly asked for a new dress. Was that ok? Why or Why not?
  
• Rabbit asked for new better eyes. Was that ok? Why or Why not?
  
• Panda and Elephant asked for less stuffing so he could be thinner. Is that ok? Why or Why not?
  
• Giraffe asked for a shorter neck. Is that ok? Why or Why not?
  
• Unicorn asked to be turned into a horse. Is that ok? Why or Why not?
  
• Sad Bear would rather stay himself than change to happy bear. Why do you think that?
  
• What makes it ok to change something about your body?
  
• If someone asked you to change something about your body would you do it?
  
• If you (just you not because of anyone else) really wanted to change something about yourself what would you change?
  

Where to get the book:

https://www.afterdinnerconversation.com/downloads

After Dinner Conversations subscription discounts

1st Month Free month-to-month: Philosophers

20% off yearly subscription: PhilosophersYear

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

This is episode #8 of our series on Aesop's Fables. Aesop was a Greek storyteller and slave that lived back around 600 BCE. Wow, that's old! The stories have been added to and changed over the years through oral tradition. They are great short stories that teach good lessons.

How to find the stories:

http://www.read.gov/aesop/

In this episode

• The Boy & the Filberts
• Hercules & the Wagoner
• The Kid & the Wolf
• The Bundle of Sticks
• The Ass & His Driver
  

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

Frog tells a scary story and gives Toad “the shivers”.

Discussion starters:

• What about Frog's story is scary?
• Do you like to feel scared sometimes?
• Why do things seem scarier when it’s dark?
• Are ghosts real?
• I wonder. If you trust someone a lot, like your parents, should you believe everything they say?
• Why won’t Frog tell Toad if the story is real?
• Do you think Frog’s story is real? Why or why not?
• What does it mean to be scared?
• Why might make-believe stories make your body act like they are real?
• How can we figure out if a story is real or make-believe?

Where to get the book:

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/days-with-frog-and-toad-arnold-lobel?variant=32117245902882

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

Nothing lasts forever, so where does it go? Socks, rocks, puddles, the sun, snow, noise, me and you, what happens and why? How do we know? Do we know?

Spark conversation with:

• What happens to boiling water?
• Does it disappear or just change?
• What does it mean to disappear?
• Can something turn into nothing?
• What is nothing?
• If you could, would you want to live forever?
• How long is forever?
• Is there something besides our physical body that makes us “us”?
• If there is something besides our bodies, what do you think it’s made out of?
• When someone dies what do you think happens?
  

Where to get the book:

https://www.planetatangerina.com/en/loja/where-do-we-go-when-we-disappear/

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

This is episode #7 of our series on Aesop's Fables. Aesop was a Greek storyteller and slave that lived back around 600 BCE. Wow, that's old! The stories have been added to and changed over the years through oral tradition. They are great short stories that teach good lessons.

How to find the stories:

http://www.read.gov/aesop/

In this episode

• The Fisherman & the Little Fish
• The Wolf & the Kid
• The Tortoise & the Ducks
• The Dog, the Cock, & the Fox
• The Eagle & the Jackdaw
  

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

Frog & Toad go on an adventure with many challenges along the way. Come along and find out if Frog & Toad are brave.

Challenge your thoughts on:

• Does being brave mean not being scared?
• Does bravery have anything to do with the way you look?
• Does bravery have anything to do with what you say?
• What does it mean to be brave?
• What is courage?
• Is it bad to have too much courage?
• What would you call not having enough courage?
• If a person’s words don’t match their actions which one should we believe?
• In the story when was Frog brave? And When was Toad brave?
• Is it easier to be brave when you have a friend with you? Why or why not?
  

Where to get the book:

“Dragons & Giants” is one of the stories in the book Frog and Toad Together

https://www.harpercollins.com/9780064440219/frog-and-toad-together/

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

Mop is a little boy who has a rough week at school. He can’t seem to get a handle on his emotions. His Mom takes him out surfing one afternoon and teaches him something that will change his life forever.

Challenge your thoughts on:

• What are some things that make you feel bad?
• When those things happen do you choose to feel bad or does it just happen?
• I wonder, if you wanted to could you just make that feeling go away?
• If you can’t choose to feel that way and you can’t choose to make it go away is it your fault for feeling that way?
• Is it hard to be calm when you get angry or sad?
• What does Mop do to keep calm and control his body?
• What does it mean to apologize?
• Can it ever be too long to apologize for something?
• Is it ok to question our parents?
• Should we ever do something just because someone says so?

Where to get the book:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622501/mop-rides-the-waves-of-life-by-jaimal-yogis/

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

This is episode #6 of our series on Aesop's Fables. Aesop was a Greek storyteller and slave that lived back around 600 BCE. Wow, that's old! The stories have been added to and changed over the years through oral tradition. They are great short stories that teach good lessons.

How to find the stories:

http://www.read.gov/aesop/

In this episode

• The Dog & His Reflection
  
• The Fox & the Crow
  
• The Ant & the Dove
  
• The Man & the Satyr
  
• The Hare & His Ears
  

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

Episode # 14: Frog & Toad “Cookies” by Albert Lobel

Toad makes the most wonderful cookies and decides to share them with his best friend Frog. They are so good they have a hard time stopping but learn a little something about will power in the process. Or do they?

Challenge your thoughts on:

• Why does Toad take the cookies to Frog?
  
• How do the same things taste good or bad to different people?
  
• Why do Toad and Frog want to eat things they know aren’t good for them?
  
• What is will-power?
  
• Who do you think has more will-power Frog or Toad?
  
• Are Frog and Toad practicing will-power if they keep coming up with ways to get the cookies?
  
• At the end, Frog says they have lots and lots of will-power. Is will power something you can keep?
  
• Is will-power trying not to do something or actually stopping yourself from doing something?
  
• What are the good things that come from using will power?
  
• What do you need to keep yourself from doing something you want?
  

Where to get the book:

https://www.harpercollins.com/9780064440219/frog-and-toad-together/

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

It's time for the annual meeting and the difficult question. This year Elephant asks the big question and everyone has different answers. The leader of the meeting, Ant, comes away empty-handed and can't understand why.

Challenge your thoughts on:

• How do you know you love someone?
• What different things do you love?
• Are there different kinds of love?
• What's the difference between liking something or someone and loving something or someone?
• Do you think animals can love?
• Why do you think Elephant got up and ran down the hill?
• What does it mean to care about something?
• Why do you think Ant feels so alone?
• Does each person have their own love or is it something we share with others?
• Who do you love most in the world? Why?

Where to get the book:

https://www.bookisland.co.uk/collections/leen-van-den-berg/products/the-big-question

or Amazon

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

Anchor Description

This is episode #5 of our series on Aesop's Fables. Aesop was a Greek storyteller and slave that lived back around 600 BCE. Wow, that's old! The stories have been added to and changed over the years through oral tradition. They are great short stories that teach good lessons.

How to find the stories:

http://www.read.gov/aesop/

In this episode:

The Frog & the Mouse

The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

The Eagle & the Beetle

The Mother & the Wolf

The Hare & the Tortoise

How to Find me:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music: Happy Clappy Ukulele by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Toad sees his friend Frog has a garden. He wants his own and learns some lessons about patience.

This episode we ask the questions:

• How do we know if what we do affects anyone or anything else?
• Does everything have a cause?
• If we do something and another thing happens right afterward how can we tell if what we did caused the other thing?
• What does it mean to be patient?
• How long do we need to wait after we do something to see if something will happen?
• Toad says that Frog’s garden is beautiful. What makes a garden beautiful or not beautiful?
• Is nature beautiful in the same way music and art are beautiful?
• Frog tells Toad that the seeds are “afraid to grow” after Toad yells at the seeds. What do you think Frog means by this?
• Is Toad more invested in his garden after all his work, even if his work didn’t cause the seeds to grow?
• Do things matter more to us if we’ve worked hard for them than if they just come to us?
  

Where to get the book:

“The Garden” is one of the stories in the book Frog and Toad Together

https://www.harpercollins.com/9780064440219/frog-and-toad-together/

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

A toy rabbit is loved for a short time on Christmas day and then forgotten. One day he is picked to sleep with the boy and the two become inseparable. Then the boy becomes sick and the little toy’s life changes forever.

This episode we ask the questions:

• What does it mean to be “real”
• What does it mean to be “alive”
• What are some things that are real but not alive?
• I wonder if fire is alive?
• Can anything be alive and not real?
• Can toys come to life?
• How do we know the difference between real and make-believe?
• If someone tells you something should just believe them?
• If someone tells you something is real or alive what questions could YOU ask to make sure?
  

Where to get the book:

The Velveteen Rabbit is part of the public domain (it’s free!)

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/11757/11757-h/11757-h.htm

How to talk to me about the stories

Facebook Page & Group - https://facebook.com/lilphilosophers

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Happy Clappy Ukulele” & “Moments”

This is episode #4 of our series on Aesop's Fables. Aesop was a Greek storyteller and slave that lived back around 600 BCE. Wow, that's old! The stories have been added to and changed over the years through oral tradition. They are great short stories that teach good lessons.

How to find the stories:

http://www.read.gov/aesop/

In this episode:

The Stag & His Reflection

The Frogs and the OX

The Cock & the Fox

The Fox & the Goat

The Fox & the Leopard

How to Find me:

Facebook Group - https://facebook.com/groups/536788313641400/

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music: Happy Clappy Ukulele by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

A boy gives a mouse a treat and gets into a little more than he bargained for. His new friend takes him on a little adventure through his stream of consciousness and somehow ends up right where they started.

Where to find the book: 

https://lauranumeroff.com/books/

Where to find me:

Facebook Group - https://facebook.com/groups/536788313641400/

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music: Happy Clappy Ukulele by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

There are two kinds of Sneetches that live on this beaches. Some have stars, the others have none on thars. The Star-belly Sneetches act entitled and superior to the Plain-belly sort just go along with it. Until one day a visitor shows up. He takes advantage of the situation and "changes their stars" in more ways than one.

Where to find the book: 

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/43167/the-sneetches-and-other-stories-by-dr-seuss/

Where to find me:

Facebook Group - https://facebook.com/groups/536788313641400/

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music: Happy Clappy Ukulele by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Aesop was a Greek storyteller and slave that lived back around 600 BCE. Wow, that's old! The stories have been added to and changed over the years through oral tradition. They are great short stories that teach good lessons.

How to find the stories:

http://www.read.gov/aesop/

In this episode:

The Lion & the Mouse

The Gnat & the Bull

The Plane Tree

The Owl & the Grasshopper

How to Find me:

Facebook Group - https://facebook.com/groups/536788313641400/

Twitter - Lil' Philosophers @PhilosophersLil

Instagram - Lil' Philosophers @lilphilosophers

Email - lil.philosoph@gmail.com

Music: Happy Clappy Ukulele by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Music: Moments by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com