What reading level is Don't push the button!?

Don't push the button! by Bill Cotter is at a Level 2 reading level (Lexile 360L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is Don't push the button! appropriate for?

Don't push the button! is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 7C (Clear).

What genre is Don't push the button!?

Don't push the button! is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Don't push the button! have any content warnings?

Don't push the button! has a HootRating of 7C (Clear). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Don't push the button!?

Don't push the button! by Bill Cotter is 32 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Don't push the button!

Bill Cotter

Don't push the button!

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Bill Cotter

Reading Level 2 7C Ages 5-8 Matched

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

Larry is the most curious monster ever, and he has one big rule: don’t push the button! But the button looks so tempting... what could possibly go wrong if you just give it one little push? Get ready, because once that button is pressed, everything changes in the funniest way!

Themes

HumorBooks and ReadingPicture BooksJuvenile Fiction

Quick Assessment

This humorous interactive picture book follows Larry, a curious monster who warns readers not to push a mysterious button—only to do it himself, leading to unexpected, silly consequences. Designed for early readers aged 5 to 8, it encourages engagement and laughter while exploring themes of curiosity and cause-and-effect. The book is light-hearted, with no concerning content, making it a safe and fun read for young children.

Why we rated Don't push the button! 7C

Don't push the button! is written at a Level 2 reading level with a Lexile measure of 360L across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Don't push the button! works for readers up to grade 4.0.

We rate Don't push the button! 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, Don't push the button! explores humor, books and reading, picture books, and juvenile fiction — 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 humor, books and reading, picture books.