But What Can You Do?
Arika Parr
But What Can You Do?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Story for Kids about Perseverance and Positive Thinking
by Arika Parr
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: Ava can’t do cartwheels like her friends, no matter how hard she tries. But when she feels sad and almost gives up, her mom shows her something amazing about herself that changes everything. And that’s only the beginning of Ava’s big discovery!
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gentle picture book for early readers explores themes of perseverance, self-awareness, and positive self-talk as Ava learns to appreciate her unique talents beyond the cartwheel. Suitable for ages 5-8, it encourages children to celebrate their individual strengths and promotes emotional resilience without any distressing content.
Why we rated But What Can You Do? 7C
But What Can You Do? is written at a Level 2 reading level across 40 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, But What Can You Do? works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate But What Can You Do? 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, But What Can You Do? explores friendship, family, coming of age, self-discovery, and perseverance — 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, coming of age.
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.
Content Flags
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
What Can I Do?
Danielle Lowry
What Can I Do?
Danielle Lowry
What Can You Do (What Can You Series)
Angela Littler
What Can You Do (What Can You Series)
Angela Littler
Authentically Ava
Deven Tellis
Authentically Ava
Deven Tellis
You Can Do It!
Valerie Tripp
You Can Do It!
Valerie Tripp
Ava's Amazing Adventure
Jackie Ray
Ava's Amazing Adventure
Jackie Ray
Everyone Can Do Something
Belinda Sandoval Alvarez
Everyone Can Do Something
Belinda Sandoval Alvarez
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9798986580920
- Pages
- 40
- Publisher
- Ava + Mommy Publishing
- Published
- 2023
- Type
- Fiction