Here Comes the Cat!

Someone by the name of Hannah Esrick has posted a series of philosophical questions for kids that are raised by Vladimir Vagin's picture book, "Here Comes the Cat!" For example:

The cat enters the mouse city pulling a big piece of cheese for the mice to share. The collar and leash are taken off of the cat. The mice eat the cheese and the cat gets a back rub and milk.

1. Does everyone benefit?
2. Do the mice care for the cat?
3. Does the cat care for the mice?
4. Can you do kind acts without caring?

The educational corporation Scholastic has an animated version of "Here Comes the Cat" included with their "Corduroy...and more stories of friendship" DVD. When Genevieve watches it, the last thing on her mind is philosophy. She screams with laughter, doubles over and bounces with excitement. It is currently the most hilarious thing she's ever seen. I like watching it with her, simply because she has so much fun. I'm certainly not going to ruin that by interjecting philosophy.

Scholastic has at few other DVD's based on kids stories (yeah for public libraries!). One of them has three Robert McCloskey stories (not animated), including "Make Way for Ducklings." Another DVD features one of Reesa's favorite books, "Click Clack Moo. Cows That Type," and I think the DVD is more funny than the book.