Mother, mother, I feel sick, send for the doctor quick, quick, quick
Remy Charlip
Mother, mother, I feel sick, send for the doctor quick, quick, quick
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Picture Book and Shadow Play
by Remy Charlip
The text is written at a 1st 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
The room buzzes with worry as a child clutches their belly, gasping, 'Mother, mother, I feel sick!' Suddenly, the doctor arrives, ready to find out what's really inside that tummy. But what strange surprises will the doctor discover?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This playful rhyming story follows a child experiencing an unusual stomachache that is cured when a doctor removes many unexpected objects from the stomach. Designed for early readers aged 5 to 8, it includes instructions for a shadow play performance, encouraging interactive storytelling and imagination. The content is gentle and suitable for young children, focusing on themes of illness and recovery in a fun, lighthearted way.
Why we rated Mother, mother, I feel sick, send for the doctor quick, quick, quick 6C
Mother, mother, I feel sick, send for the doctor quick, quick, quick is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 42 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Mother, mother, I feel sick, send for the doctor quick, quick, quick works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate Mother, mother, I feel sick, send for the doctor quick, quick, quick as 6C ("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, Mother, mother, I feel sick, send for the doctor quick, quick, quick explores sick, stomach, stories in rhyme, shadow shows, and plays — 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 sick, stomach, stories in rhyme.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0590077724
- Pages
- 42
- Publisher
- Four Winds Press
- Published
- 1980
- Type
- Fiction