A Blue So Blue

Name: A Blue So Blue
Author: Jean-FranCois Dumont
ISBN: 9781402721397

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Jean-FranCois Dumont

Reading Level 2 C · Gentle Ages 5-8 Matched

Prix Saint-Exupéry best illustrated children's book

The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.

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About This Book

Imagine a blue so magical, it feels like you could jump right inside it! A little boy with a paintbrush travels the world, chasing this perfect blue—from bustling cities to faraway deserts—only to discover the most special color is closer than he ever dreamed. This story shows how adventure and wonder can be found right at home.

Themes

Adventure Family Friendship Science & NatureArt

Quick Assessment

This beautifully illustrated picture book follows a young boy's imaginative journey to find a unique shade of blue. Suitable for early readers aged 5 to 8, it combines vibrant artwork with a gentle message about discovery and appreciation of one’s surroundings. The story is free of distressing content, making it an excellent choice for young children.

Why we rated A Blue So Blue C (Gentle)

A Blue So Blue is written at a Level 2 reading level across 24 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 3 and up can manage A Blue So Blue on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate A Blue So Blue as C (Gentle) because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.

Thematically, A Blue So Blue explores adventure, family, friendship, science & nature, and art — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, family, friendship.
✓ Readers (and parents) who care about award-recognized writing — A Blue So Blue carries an award.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

C · Gentle

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Gentle

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?