Little Tricker the squirrel meets Big Double the bear
Ken Kesey
Little Tricker the squirrel meets Big Double the bear
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ken Kesey
The text is written at a 4th 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
A quick-witted squirrel named Little Tricker tries to outsmart Big Double, a huge and very hungry bear. Their playful encounter shows how clever thinking can turn the tables even when facing a bigger foe. Bright, colorful illustrations bring this charming animal adventure to life for young readers.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with gentle content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 5-8.
Why we rated Little Tricker the squirrel meets Big Double the bear 9C
Little Tricker the squirrel meets Big Double the bear is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 26 pages (approximately 2,825 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.9 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Little Tricker the squirrel meets Big Double the bear works for readers up to grade 6.9.
Read aloud, Little Tricker the squirrel meets Big Double the bear takes about 19 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.
We rate Little Tricker the squirrel meets Big Double the bear as 9C ("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: Mild Peril.
Thematically, Little Tricker the squirrel meets Big Double the bear explores animals, 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about animals, friendship, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — 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
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 067081136X
- Pages
- 26
- Publisher
- Viking Juvenile
- Published
- 1990
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 2,825
- Read-Aloud
- ~19 min
- Text Density
- Light Text