A King, a hunter, and a golden goose
Stefanie Hoffmann, Jeanne Carlson, Deborah Black
A King, a hunter, and a golden goose
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Story of the Buddha
by Stefanie Hoffmann, Jeanne Carlson, Deborah Black
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here's a secret: not all geese are ordinary—some carry golden magic that can change a kingdom. When a clever hunter captures two special geese, their brave hearts and loyalty surprise the king and queen. But that's only the beginning of their amazing story.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gentle early reader story introduces children ages 5-8 to themes of loyalty and kindness through a retelling of a classic Jataka tale involving a golden goose and a thoughtful king and queen. The narrative is simple and accessible for grade 2 reading levels, with no intense content, making it appropriate for young readers interested in folklore and moral lessons.
Why we rated A King, a hunter, and a golden goose 7C
A King, a hunter, and a golden goose is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A King, a hunter, and a golden goose works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate A King, a hunter, and a golden goose as 7C ("Clear") 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 King, a hunter, and a golden goose explores friendship, family, adventure, fantasy world-building, and cultural folklore — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The golden goose
Linda M. Jennings
The golden goose
Linda M. Jennings
The golden goose
Margaret Hillert
The golden goose
Margaret Hillert
Golden, Goose, The,
Jacob Grimm
Golden, Goose, The,
Jacob Grimm
Goose and the Golden Eggs Retold
Eric Braun
Goose and the Golden Eggs Retold
Eric Braun
The goose that laid the golden eggs
Mairi Mackinnon
The goose that laid the golden eggs
Mairi Mackinnon
Goose that laid the Golden Eggs (FIRST READING, LEVEL 3)
Howard Hughes
Goose that laid the Golden Eggs (FIRST READING, LEVEL 3)
Howard Hughes
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780898001419
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Dharma Pub
- Published
- 1986
- Type
- Fiction