Laura and Paul

About the Book

Laura and Paul is a story about two children who find philosophical wonderment in everyday life. Written to encourage children’s critical and creative thinking, ‘Laura and Paul’ is loved by children of all ages who identify with both the characters and the situations in the story. The story follows Laura and Paul at home and at school where they wonder about questions such as ‘Are numbers real?’, ‘What is trust?’, ‘Is it fair to lock animals in cages?, ‘What makes a picture beautiful?’, ‘What makes me the person I am?’, ‘How do we know what is true?’. The story transforms the ideas of great philosophers into recognisable situations from daily family life. Swept along by the plot twists and mysteries, the child (and adult) reader is introduced to philosophical puzzles and dilemmas which transport them effortlessly into the realm of philosophical wonder, thinking and reasoning. Enjoyed throughout the world by adults and children as young as six, ‘Laura and Paul’ transforms lives by showing how to find wonder, delight and mystery in what can appear to be mundane everyday life.

Laura and Paul works on many different levels. Written in simple language which is accessible to young children, on the surface it is a story with mysteries and plot twists which children love. However each situation and event in the story is ‘seeded’ with deep philosophical puzzles and dilemmas. Some of these puzzles are easily recognised while other are embedded more deeply within the story.

The book can be read simply as a story, or it can be used with groups of children as a stimulus to discussion and dialogue - as featured in the BBC documentary ‘Socrates for Six year olds’ where a class of six year old children can be seen having a philosophical dialogue about questions stimulated by Laura and Paul.

About the Author

Dr. McCall is a world-renowned specialist in practical philosophy and children’s philosophical thinking who has featured in numerous press articles, TV and radio programmes in the UK and internationally since 1988. The author of five philosophical novels for children and adults: Laura and Paul, Changes, Exhibitions, Ken and Gelt and John’s Story, Dr. McCall is President of Stichting SOPHIA: The European Foundation for doing Philosophy with Children, Director of EPIC and Philosophy Consultant for Departments of Education internationally. Initially trained as a philosopher and a psychologist, Dr. McCall spent 4 years working in theatre in the West End of London as a carpenter, lighting designer, technical stage manager, playwright and director before returning to academic life help pioneer practical philosophy in the UK.

Whilst working as a Professor in Montclair USA, she introduced Philosophy for Children , Nelson’s Socratic Method and Philosophical Inquiry to the UK, France and Spain through a series of International Training Workshops over 1985- 86

In 1990 the BBC documentary “Socrates for Six year olds” featuring Dr. McCall’s Philosophical Inquiry method with young children and Prof. Lipman’s P4C method with teenagers in the USA was broadcast in the UK USA and other countries. The documentary became the inspiration for a generation of Philosophy for children practitioners. In 1991 Dr. McCall created the postgraduate M.Phil. and PhD. degree courses in Philosophical Inquiry (PI) at the University of Glasgow.

A Consultant with Education Authorities, businesses and NHS Health Trusts, she currently trains UK Philosophy for Children teacher-trainers, teaches PI at the University of Strathclyde and writes philosophical novels.