Kio and Gus: Novel (Philosophy for children)

Kio visits his grandparents' farm and becomes friendly with Gus, who lives with her family not far away. Kio helps Gus become aware of the world as the blind experience it, and some of the differences that characterize the creative activities of the blind. Kio's grandfather was once a sailor, and early in the book tells of an encounter he once had with a whale. He is determined to visit a site where he can observe whales once again, and Kio persuades him to take the two families along. Kio and Gus consists largely of conversations, because these are children who are sensitive to language and ideas as well as to the animals, people and things in the world that surrounds them. Among the contrasting concepts that Gus and Kio wonder about are make-believe/reality, fear/courage, saying/doing, and truth/beauty. As a result of the intense interest shown by Kio and Gus in animals, in space and time, and in many other aspects of nature, this book makes an ideal introduction to science and critical thinking, as well as to the relationship between language and the world. At the same time, young readers will find, in going through this book, that their sense of wonder is challenged by it as much as their reasoning skills.