What reading level is Gaston?

Gaston by Kelly Dipucchio is at a Level 2 reading level. Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is Gaston appropriate for?

Gaston is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 7LE (Light — Emotional).

Does Gaston have any content warnings?

Gaston has a HootRating of 7LE (Light — Emotional). 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 Gaston?

Gaston by Kelly Dipucchio is 40 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated June 9, 2026

Gaston

Kelly Dipucchio

Gaston

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Kelly Dipucchio

Reading Level 2 7LE 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

Gaston tiptoes through his poodle lessons, sipping and yipping just right. Suddenly, a bulldog family appears at the park, and everything changes in a blink. What happens when Gaston and Antoinette switch places—will they find the family that feels like home?

Themes

AnimalsFamily Identity & Self-Discovery FriendshipJuvenile Fiction

Quick Assessment

This charming story follows Gaston, a young poodle who discovers he's been switched at birth with a bulldog named Antoinette. The book gently explores themes of identity and belonging through playful animal characters. Suitable for early readers aged 5-8, it features light humor and heartwarming moments without any concerning content.

Why we rated Gaston 7LE

Gaston 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, Gaston works for readers up to grade 4.0.

We rate Gaston as 7LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Gaston explores animals, family, identity & self-discovery, friendship, 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 animals, family, identity & self-discovery.