Inspired by a story of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein this book is a very cute introduction to philosophy and the idea of knowledge and proof. This is an adorable bedtime story followed by some real information about philosophy, what it means to be a philosopher and the story that inspired the book. The illustrations are also pretty unique and special and there’s information about how they were created as well. Is there really a rhinoceros in this book? You’ll have to read it to find out.

More philosophical than one generally sees in a picture book, though that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's not so much a plot as it is a discussion of the nature of existence. That will make it hard for kids to grasp but they may enjoy the conversation.

The two year old loved this one. The rhino was so funny and he enjoyed helping to "look" for him on every page. Great graphics with a funny story.

THIS WAS SO INCREDIBLY PRECIOUS. I love how accessible this makes the concept of philosophy. And I love that it flips the idea of the child having this sort of awareness instead of the adult. Sure, we can’t always see something, but we know it’s there, right? And I loved the illustrations!

Believe it or not, this fun search for a rhinoceros hiding in a little boy's bedroom turns out to be about Ludwig Wittgenstein, and whether or not it is possible to prove something ISN'T there. I LOVED the touches of humor throughout, and the screen printed illustrations by Golden Cosmos.

I'll definitely be buying a copy of this for my grownup son who has a degree in philosophy, and loves to argue.

I really enjoyed the philosophical nature of this story as an intro for early readers. It’s a great way to prompt conversations about differences in more than just philosophy!

Thank you to the author, NorthSouth Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great children's book that opens the door to exploring what philosophy is. The kids I read this with loved the clever way the rhinoceros kept popping up in the illustrations, even as the father could not see him no matter where he looked. I loved the simple, vibrant and colorful illustrations, and the author's note at the back introducing Ludwig Wittgenstein. Highly recommend.

Humorous or slightly pointless, the philosophical debate about whether you can completely disprove the presence of a rhinoceros makes for a reasonable early reader. It will need someone else hanging around to get young audiences to an understanding of the whole debate, mind, which may well not be your idea of fun – although I couldn't say for sure.

Ludwig an see the the rhinoceros, but his father can't so they have a lively discussion reminiscent of the philosopher Gus Wittgenstein. But I think it is more like physicist (Erwin) Schrödinger's cat.
Thanks to Marshall Yarbrough for translation from the German.
The illustrations by the duo of Golden Cosmos illustrators are to be delightful, imaginative, and vividly colorful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from NorthSouth Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Thank you NorthSouth Books and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this book. This is a sweet story about a boy who sees a rhinoceros in his room but his father can’t, even when the boy tells his dad where to look. Beautiful, primary color graphics and a fun story introduce children to philosophy. There is more information about a German philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein (after whom the main character is named) and his way of thinking in the author’s note at the end of the book.

The title includes this description - A Philosophical Bedtime Story - and that is just what you get when Ludwig and his father debate the existence of a rhinoceros in his room. Just because you don't actually see it can it still be there? The illustrations are fun and carry the journey through the philosophical question if existence. Now you can just share this fun story and laugh with your child or you can share this picture book with a group of philosophers and go down the rabbit hole! It is a very intriguing book with great illustrations and conversation between a boy and his father ---- and the rhinoceros! Publication in September 2023.
Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for the advanced copy for review.

What does it mean when you can see something someone else can't? This father son story is a sweet and charming child's introduction to philosophy, specifically that of Ludwig Wittgenstein, who posited "It simply cannot be proven that there is NOT a rhinoceros in the room.". Golden Cosmos' marvelously colorful and playful illustrations bring Noemi Schneider's tickling text to glorious life.

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the vintage style illustrations in this book. While I appreciate the concept of a child teaching an adult to suspend disbelief, this story didn't really do it for me.

I wanted this to be cute. However, it felt repetitive and the ending threw me. Shouldn’t kids be able to have an imagination? Just didn’t understand the dynamics with the dad and his son.

Thank you NetGalley and North South Books for the opportunity to read "Ludwig and the Rhinoceros" in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story is based on a real person named Ludwig Wittgenstein from Austria. It has charming characters and wonderful illustrations that will catch the attention of children.

When Ludwig's father asks him who he is talking to, Ludwig replies that it's a rhinoceros. His father tells him that it's his imagination and there is no rhinoceros in the room. Ludwig insists that he's behind his father, in the dresser, under the bed, and under the desk. He asks his father if he can see the moon? If you can't see the moon, does it mean that it's not there?

Ludwig wanted to be a philosopher because he was a curious person who was always asking questions and searching for answers. Ludwig studied how we use language, exact and inexact meanings to words and how true statements differ from false statements.

This book brings about an opportunity for educators, parents and caregivers to start a conversation about imagination and how thoughts should not be dismissed so easily. Just because you can't see something (like a rhinoceros) or have never seen something, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's not there. Another great conversation starter would be how to prove whether something is or isn't there.

The colours are a bit dark, but the overall theme is nice and good for children and adults alike. Thank you Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for sending me this e-ARC.

A a little boy named Ludwig tries to convince his dad that there is a rhinoceros in his room. This discussion represents the theory of Ludwig Wittgenstein. The little boy in the story has the same name as the philosopher.
At the end of the story, there is a child friendly discussion of what a philosopher is as well as a discussion about who Ludwig Wittgenstein is.

I thought Ludwig and the Rhinoceros was okay at first, but my impression of the book improved after I read the author’s note and read the story again. It has a philosophical slant. Is something really there even if you can’t see it? Is there really a rhinoceros in Ludwig’s room? His dad certainly doesn’t think so. The illustrations, done mainly in primary colors, are charming and make the storyline pop.

This was an adorable and clever books for budding young philosophers! It's such a clever way to explain the concept of philosophy to young kids, though it still may be a bit mind bending for them. It's a sweet and short bedtime story where a little boy is sending his dad around the room to find his hidden Rhinoceros. This would be a cute bedtime book for young kids even if they don't understand the nods to classic philosophy questions.
The illustrations in the book are beautiful! It looks like an older, classical book at first glance but the images are vibrant and simple. There are plenty of details in the bedroom scenes without being too distracting from the main point.
Thanks so much to NorthSouth and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of the ebook to read and review!

A fabulous children's book! And a great way to introduce a child to philosophy ... and get children to start thinking for themselves!

The story is by Noemi Schneider and the graphics by Golden Cosmos (the working name for Doris Freigofos and Daniel Dotz). I loved the graphics, beautiful and creative.

This book uses some of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein's thoughts for the basis of the book. Ludwig thought a lot about language - how to use it, and how exact and inexact it is. And what makes a true statement different from a false statement.

Definitely considering purchasing for my young nephew (isn't that what aunts are for ... finding ways for your nephew to challenge and outthink your brother. ha!)

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the advance read copy of Ludwig and the Rhinoceros. Alos thank you to author Noemi Schneider and NorthSouth Books. Translated from German by Marshall Yarbrough. Publication date is Sept 5, 2023.