PPBF – Ludwig and the Rhinoceros: A Philosophical Bedtime Story

For my last post of 2023, I thought I’d give everyone something to think about as the year ends and share a Perfect Picture Book that proves that all children are little philosophers. Happy Holidays!

Title: Ludwig and the Rhinoceros: A Philosophical Bedtime Story

Written By: Noemi Schneider

Illustrated By: Golden Cosmos (the duo of Doris Freigofas and Daniel Dolz)

Translated from German by: Marshall Yarbrough

Publisher/Date: NorthSouth Books/2023

Suitable for Ages: 5-8

Themes/Topics: philosophy, rhinoceros, imagination, Ludwig Wittgenstein, humor, logic

Opening:

What are you up to in here, Ludwig? Who are you talking to?

A rhinoceros.

A rhinoceros? There’s no rhinoceros in here. That’s just your imagination.

Right behind you.

Brief Synopsis: A father doesn’t believe there’s a rhinoceros in his son’s bedroom because the father can’t see it. But Ludwig shows his father that something can be there, even if you can’t see it.

Links to Resources:

• Try these logic games;
• Learn about some famous Greek philosophers;
• Explore the Back Matter to learn more about philosophers generally and Ludwig Wittgenstein specifically;
• Make a rhinoceros horn to wear.

Why I Like this Book:

When I read a review of Ludwig and the Rhinoceros on Jilanne Hoffmann’s blog, I knew I had to find it, read it, and share it. Adults study and write theses about philosophers like Ludwig Wittgenstein – my own daughter wrote her senior thesis about him. In German! How could his philosophical ideas be shared with, and made understandable by, the picture book set? I had to know!

When you read Ludwig and the Rhinoceros, and I encourage you to do so soon, I think you won’t be asking that question. Instead, you’ll be wondering why more picture books don’t tackle philosophical questions. After all, don’t many parents and caregivers spend much of their time responding to a question posed and answered by many, if not all, philosophers: “Why?”.

Schneider sets the philosophical question and answer session in a child’s bedroom at bedtime. Many of us can relate to that! She then adds humor by inserting a rhinoceros there. The rub? Only the boy, and the readers, can see it. The incredulous father cannot. Nor can he prove it isn’t there!

The bright, neon-colored illustrations fit this surreal situation perfectly. That the rhinoceros is a vivid shade of dreamy blue adds to the allure – is the child dreaming, or is there, could there be, a rhinoceros in Ludwig’s room? I can imagine many animated conversations about that.

A Note about Craft:

Schneider wrote this as an all-dialogue picture book, which, given the subject matter of philosophical questioning, is a wonderful way to showcase the question and answer method of philosophical inquiry.

Philosophy isn’t generally the subject of picture books. However, by crafting the story as a dialogue between a child and parent, and by setting up the humorous and very kid-friendly issue of a rhinoceros in a bedroom, I think Schneider has managed to make this subject matter interesting and understandable for young children.

This Perfect Picture Book entry is being added to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book list. Check out the other great picture books featured there!