A Pond So Blue
Dan Waters
A Pond So Blue
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dan Waters
Illustrated by Danny Brooks Dalby
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.
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About This Book
Percy Perch and Wally Walleye swim fast, but big Cornelius Catfish blocks their way! Just when it seems like no one can get past, Milly Minnow whispers a clever idea. Will her plan work or will Cornelius catch them all?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This charming fiction book for early readers features a group of small fish trying to outsmart a larger catfish blocking their path. With engaging characters and simple language suited for ages 5-8, it encourages problem-solving and teamwork through humor. The story is gentle and appropriate for young children without any intense content.
Why we rated A Pond So Blue 7C
A Pond So Blue is written at a Level 2 reading level across 24 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A Pond So Blue works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate A Pond So Blue 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 Pond So Blue explores humor, friendship, and adventure — 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 humor, friendship, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
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
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781577592419
- Pages
- 24
- Publisher
- Dalmatian Press
- Published
- May 2002
- Type
- Fiction